"That's just how I've always felt about it, Kenzie. It's a pleasure to meet a man who isn't afraid of thinking."
"Oh, no-o-o!" we all groaned out in a chorus.
"Only," Pringle said dubiously, and our hopes began to arise again. "Only I've been thinking more along the line of termites." Our hopes fell and were shattered.
We heard the Chief moan to himself and saw him turn and almost run back into his office.
"Two of 'em now," he was mumbling over and over. "Two of 'em now. It ain't worth it. It ain't worth it." He sat down heavily and buried his head in his arms across the top of his desk. Kenzie was watching him too, like he was wondering what had got into the Chief. Then Kenzie turned back to Pringle.
"Ants," he said with determination.
"Termites," Pringle answered him stubbornly. Kenzie glared at Pringle for a minute, then his face cleared.
"Why not both of them?" he asked, like a fellow who was willing to be big about it.
"Sure, why not?" Pringle came his half way also. Then, like he wasn't to be outdone in generosity. "Ants first, then termites later."
Solemnly the two shook hands. They went back to their work at the bench, and there was an aura of understanding and accord at that end of the room thick enough to be felt.