“How could I when I had no power on?”
“Sure, I know little about automobiles, but what little I know I don’t like,” responded Mr. Connors, untroubledly. “They’re queer, unreasonable contrivances, say the least, and likely to do most anything, I’m thinking. Was there anyone saw it?”
“There was no one there but your men and myself,” answered Tom. “And of course they’d swear it was my fault!”
“Don’t be calling my men liars,” cautioned the liveryman quietly. “It butters no parsnips, do you mind, to call names. I’d as soon believe them as you. No offense, mind you.”
“Well, anyway, it wasn’t my fault in the least,” said Tom warmly, “and we have no intention of paying that bill, Mr. Connors.”
Mr. Connors sighed and shook his head again. “’Tain’t the right spirit,” he mourned.
“Besides,” continued Tom, getting warmed up, “I’m pretty sure you put Green up to it! If you did it’s a fine thing to ask us to pay you damages, isn’t it?”
Mr. Connors’ eyes flashed. “Me? I told Johnny to back into your wagon? I did nothing of the sort! What kind of a blackguard do you take me for? What would I be telling him to do that for?”
“Well, we know very well that you fixed it so we couldn’t get a stand on Main Street,” replied Tom.
“Sure I did! And what for not? That’s business, ain’t it? Why would I be inviting you to step in and take my business away from me? And I’d have kept you away from the station if I could. But I’m not a man to do dirty, underhand tricks like you say! And you can put that in your pipe and smoke it, young man!”