“And they wouldn’t wait, yu’ see. They wouldn’t fool away Christmas, that only comes onced a year, kickin’ their heels, and sayin’ ‘Where’s Billy?’ They’d say, ‘Bill has sure made other arrangements, which he’ll explain to us at his leesyure.’ And they’d skip with the cigars.”
The advocate paused, effectively, and from his bolster regarded Billy with a convincing eye.
“That’s so,” said Billy.
“And where would yu’ be then, Bill? In the street, out of friends, out of Christmas, and left both ways, no tobacker and no flapjacks. Now, Bill, what do yu’ say to us puttin’ up a Christmas deal together? Just you and me?”
“I’d like that,” said Billy. “Is it all day?”
“I was thinkin’ of all day,’ said Lin. “I’ll not make yu’ do anything yu’d rather not.”
“Ah, they can smoke without me,” said Billy, with sudden acrimony. “I’ll see ’em to-morro’.”
“That’s yu’!” cried Mr. McLean. “Now, Bill, you hustle down and tell them to keep a table for us. I’ll get my clothes on and follow yu’.”
