"A commendable habit, if done to sufficient excess," said a deep, hoarse, almost animal-like voice.
Joe Emerald stared at the creature confronting him, and the creature stared back.
"The devil!" he gasped.
"Are you swearing, or simply making an observation?" asked the hairy creature, eyeing him intently with its slanted, lidless eyes.
Joe swallowed hard. "You are green!" he said, in startled tones.
"So you're observing," said the creature in disappointment. "Yes, I'm green. What of it?"
"I'd rather expected you to be red."
"And with a forked tail?"
Joe looked closely. "You haven't one, have you?"