“Because the whole thing is a swindle!” replied Billings. “That’s why!”
“You’re mistaken. Paradise City is there, and as soon as Howard Milmarsh has settled certain details connected with the estate, buildings will go up and you will all have the homes, as agreed.”
“We’re coming in,” declared Billings doggedly. “We can’t talk business standin’ out here.”
“You can’t come in. Mr. Milmarsh would not care to have so many people walking over his carpets and rugs. I’ve told you all there is to tell. Now I’ll say good morning!”
A clod of earth was hurled by somebody in the crowd. It smashed itself against the wall, by the side of the window, not more than a foot from Andrew Lampton’s head. He drew it in quickly, closing the window.
“Give him another!” screamed the widow. “Send a stone up there and smash the glass. He’s only tryin’ to put us off.”
“Shet up!” ordered Billings. “I’m runnin’ this thing. Don’t nobody chuck anything at the house unless I tell you to.”
Billings was so big, and his habit of having his own way gave him such command, that several men who had taken stones from their pockets they had picked up on the way put them back.
“What are we goin’ to do, Bonesy?” asked Kid Plang, in a low tone.
“We’ll rush that front door if somebody don’t come out and give us satisfaction,” replied Bonesy. “Look! There’s somebody else at the window. Wait a moment, and let’s see what he’s goin’ to do.”