“Not by a sight,” replied Toby seriously.
“Wal, Zip did. He’s big,” went on Bill in cold, harsh tones. Then he paused in thought. But he went on almost immediately. “We got to help him. I’m sure with Sunny.” He turned on the loafer with a wintry smile. “You best organize right away, an’––count me in.”
Sunny’s eyes glowed with triumph. He had feared the man’s ridicule. He had expected to see his lean shoulders go up in silent contempt. And then, he knew, would have followed a storm of sarcasm and “jollying” from Sandy and the others. With quick wit he seized his opportunity, bent on using Bill’s influence to its utmost. He turned on Minky with a well calculated abruptness.
“You’ll help this thing out––too?” he challenged him.
And he got his answer on the instant––
“I sure will––to any extent.”
Sandy and Toby looked at the storekeeper in some doubt. Bill was watching them with a curious intentness. And before Sunny could challenge the two scoffers, his harsh voice filled the room again.
“I don’t know we’ll need any more,” he said, abruptly turning his gaze upon the open window, “otherwise we’d likely hev ast you two fellers. Y’see, we’ll need folks as ken do things––”
“Wot sort o’ things?” demanded Sandy, with a sudden interest.
“Wal, that ain’t easy to say right now, but––”