“You make me laugh nearly every time you speak.”
“Waal, as long as I don’t make you cry, my dear gal, there’s no sleep to be lost, eh?”
“No, not a wink, sir,” Belle rejoined, with a seductive glance and smile.
A very little of such banter as this went a long way with Nick when more serious business was pressing, and he presently asked roundly:
“Where’s your game, Mr. Godard? Let’s have a look at it.”
“We can talk and play at the same time, you know,” put in Chick agreeably.
“You don’t do any playing, my boy,” roared Nick good-naturedly. “It’s bad enough fur one o’ the Hedge family to be up agin’ the tiger. You don’t set down a chip—mind that, my boy.”
“Well, I can look on, can’t I?” grumbled Chick. “There’s no harm in that!”
“Sure you can look on, lad. There’s no chance to lose in looking on.”
“Come up-stairs, Mr. Hedge,” said Godard.