"'Yes,' he answered simply.
"'Well, I said, I'm one.'"
The five Ozites laughed at this, and the shadow smiled. He was actually beginning to fear that he was giving them too many details and that his story may be becoming long-winded and dull. But seeing that he was not boring his listeners, he continued:
"He agreed to my terms, of course. So right then I signed my first professional contract, with Indianapolis of the American Association.
"When I got home that night I had to tell my dad about it, because I was to leave for Indianapolis the very next day. Oh, that was a terrible night! Finally, Dad said, 'Now listen, I've told you time and time again that I don't want you to be a professional ballplayer. But you've got your mind made up. Now I'm going to tell you something: when you cross that threshold, don't come back. I don't ever want to see you again.'"
"No!" said Ozma with a start. "No way! No father would say such a thing to his own son!"
"That was just what my father said to me," said Rube sadly. "He didn't want me to come home again. I was excommunicated from the family."
"That's awful!" said Lisa. "Parents do have a certain responsibility toward any children that they brought into the world! He was a skinflint and a creep!"
"Yes," agreed Rube. "His actions that day were like those of a regular skunk!"
"I've known some very nice skunks in my day," said Hootsey.