“We’ve got to unite,” says Mrs. Smith. “A united front must be showed. Let’s go and talk to Mrs. Tilton before Testament falls from grace.”
They toddles up the street, headed for Tilton’s place. But Old Testament wasn’t home. I reckon he was kinda snooping around, ’cause he comes out from behind Pete Gonyer’s blacksmith shop and walks up to us.
“What was them womin talkin’ about, Brother Ike?” he asks.
“They’ve gone up to hold a war-talk with your wife, Testament. Appears that there’s a united conspiracy against the lady what come yesterday. They’ve gone to warn your wife, I reckon.”
“Love’s labor’s lost,” says Testament, sad-like. “She don’t need warnin’. Where is said lady?”
“Her and Judge Steele are holdin’ a conference over in Holt’s place. Yuh might go over and add your spiritual presence, Testament,” says Muley.
“I might,” nods Testament. “I’m sure ready and willin’ to pass spiritual advice. A man of spiritual knowledge is always needed.”
Testament’s last words were kinda faint, as he was hittin’ the trail to Holt’s front door.
“Paw,” says Muley, sad-like, “Paw wanted me to study for the ministry. Seems like a minister can git into places where a cowpuncher can’t.”
Mrs. Holt met him at the door and let him in. Pretty soon we sees Mrs. Steele, Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Gonyer, Mrs. Wheeler and Mrs. Tilton. They comes down the sidewalk toward us. Me and Muley starts to go into the saloon, but Mrs. Tilton yelps at us—