“I don’t see,” said Philpot, “the use of the last clause. We don’t want to bind ourselves down.”
“There’s no harm, though, in saying we won’t kick up a row if they treat us properly.”
“I don’t know,” said Philpot, doubtfully. “I don’t want to sign away my right to kick up a row.”
We laughed at this ingenuous admission, and Smith said, “Well, I think we’ve a better chance of bringing them to book if we keep it in. What do you say, Flanagan?”
“Oh yes, keep it in. You know I like rows as well as anybody, but what’s the use of them when there’s nothing to make them about?”
“I think it had better stay in,” said I. “What do you say, Hawkesbury?”
Hawkesbury smiled in an amused way, as if it was a joke.
This appeared to incense Smith greatly, as usual.
“Why ever don’t you say what you think instead of grinning?” he blurted out.
“Why, you know, my dear fellow, we leave it all to you. I agree to anything!”