“All little pals together,” hummed Iredell significantly on one occasion with a sidelong glance at Joe.
“Just what do you mean by that?” asked Joe sharply.
“Just what I say,” replied Iredell innocently. “What is there wrong about that? Aren’t we Giants pals to each other?”
“Of course we are, as long as we stay Giants,” replied Joe. “But that wasn’t what you meant, Dell, and you know it.”
“Now, don’t get red-headed, Joe,” put in Curry soothingly. “You must have got out of bed on the wrong side this morning. Dell didn’t mean any harm.”
“Tell me one thing,” said Joe. “Do any of you fellows believe for one minute that story in the paper?”
He looked from one to the other, but none of them looked him straight in the eye.
“You know that I’ve denied it,” went on Joe, as they kept silent, “and if after that you still 219 believe the story it’s the same as saying that I lie. And no one can call me a liar and get away with it.”
He stalked away leaving them dumbfounded.
“Do you think he really has jumped his contract?” asked Burkett.