"It's suspiciously cheap," I said. "Sure he hasn't cut the cylinders?"
"Well, you see, he broke his arm cranking. It backfired on him, and his wife is such a little fool that he had to promise to give up automobiling."
"They are splendid cars, with a record of fifty miles on the track, unstripped and out of stock!"
"And you shall have half-interest in it, Virgie!"
"I never could pay fourteen hundred dollars, Morty, and I don't want any more of pa's blanks. It's too exasperating."
"Oh, I meant for nothing!"
"Then it's a present—and there's always a string to your presents."
"Isn't there to everybody's?"
"Besides, it's an air-cooled motor," I said, not wanting to appear too eager. "Don't they always overheat in time and stick the pistons?"
"Not the Lafayette!"