“Leave them to me,” said Pee-wee darkly.
CHAPTER XXVI
BUSINESS IS PLEASURE
With an air of profound seriousness and businesslike briskness, Townsend jacked up the rear of the flivver, removed the tire and rim, and proceeded to tack strips of emery cloth continuously around the wooden edge of the wheel. Two or three curious children watched him but most of the boarders were too preoccupied watching and listening to Pee-wee to note these preparations.
Our hero planted his flaunting banner between the car and the spacious veranda and stood beneath it as if he were taking possession of the whole place in the name of the Boy Scouts of America. His voice assailed the porch and reached the neighboring lawn and penetrated to the rooms which overlooked it. Here and there, blinds were thrown open revealing the faces of astonished sojourners at the quiet resort.
Pee-wee planted his banner in front of the veranda.
From one window an agitated old lady hurled a suitcase evidently under the impression that the place was on fire. It landed on Pee-wee’s head which only seemed to push his voice out more forcibly through his mouth.
“Scissors and knives sharpened, ten cents! Scissors and knives sharpened by Townsend Ripley and his shivers slizzer—I mean scissors grinding flivver! Have your knives and scissors and corn-cutters and everything sharpened by the Boy Scouts! Don’t patronize professional flivver sharpeners—I mean scissors sharpeners—they are profiteers. Here you are, bring out anything that’s dull—”
“I’m having a perfectly beastly dull time,” a girl interrupted him. “Can you sharpen that?” Indeed he was already sharpening that, for the guests were all laughing.