"This—this—telegram," quavered Eleazer. "I ain't had a chance to—"
"Do you mean to say you ain't given her that telegram yet?"
"I was intendin' to. I was just about to when—"
"Wal, of all the—" words failed Elisha. "Here, give it to me," he commanded. "I can be depended on to deliver messages if you can't. I'll see she has it. In the meantime, the best thing you can do is to hoof it to town quick's ever you can. If the whole place ain't burned to the ground an' if they don't tar an' feather you when you put in your appearance, you'll be lucky."
"Ain't you comin'?"
"I? No. Fire's ain't in my line. Long's Marcia's here by herself an' ain't busy, I'm goin' to pay her a call," Elisha grinned. "I've got to deliver the telegram."
"Still, you don't need to stay," pleaded Eleazer, facing his triumphant rival.
"Mebbe I do," was Elisha's hectoring retort. "Mebbe this is the very time for me to linger behind. The coast's clear. Why shouldn't I stay?"
"You might be needed at the fire."