“Honest to —— that never happened,” sobs Magpie. “Aw, it couldn’t! He hit himself in the— Haw, haw, haw!”
I haw-haws with him, and we cries a duet.
Pretty soon Doleful gets to his feet, walks around in a circle and appears to be listening. Then Ajax coughs and sets up.
“I’ve had a gosh-darn plenty,” states Doleful in a whisper. “Hear me?”
“I’m sorry,” says Ajax.
“You danged hog!” wails Doleful. “I know when I’ve had a plenty. Where is my boots?”
Ajax feels of his ear like he half-expected to find the boot in there, but when he don’t find it he shakes his head.
“I don’t know, I’m sure.”
“I’m going,” states Doleful. “My gosh, it’s dark today! I can just see enough to miss hittin’ trees, and that’s about all. Where are you?”
“T fear I’m not able to give you concise information on the subject,” says Ajax painful-like, “because I am not aware of my exact position. If it will enlighten you to any extent I will say this much; I am on the ground.”