“For them kind words—thanks!”
He bowed low and swept the room with a mocking gesture.
“There ain't no room for ye,” the old woman persisted.
Jim raised his voice to a squeaking falsetto with deliberate purpose to torment her.
“I got ye the first time, darlin'!” he exclaimed, lifting his hands above her as if to hold her down. “We must linger awhile for your name—anyhow, we mustn't forget that. This is Mrs. Nance Owens?”
The old woman started and watched him from beneath her heavy eyebrows, answering with sullen emphasis:
“Yes.”
Again Jim lifted his hands above his head and waved her to earth.
“Well! Don't blame me! I can't help it, you know——”
He turned to his wife and spoke with jolly good humor.