“Threats are out of order,” he tells us. “Piperock is passin’ from such things. From now onward we are promoters of brotherly love—not battle. Heed this and save yourself trouble. We welcome both to the fold, and thank yuh for offerin’ yore assistance to Miss Greenbaum. Sincerely yours, Piperock Chamber of Commerce.”
“In reply to yore letter of today,” says I, “I can say that yore fold don’t appeal to us; so am sendin’ it back by return mail. Sincerely yours, Ike Harper and Dirty Shirt Jones. P. S. And if you don’t know what I mean—ask us.”
Magpie glares at us for several moments and then turns to Miss Jasmine.
“Miss Greenbaum,” says he, “I told you that I was sure them two jiggers was drunk when they offered to help yuh. Probably they’ll deny ever sayin’ it now.”
Dirty Shirt hops to his feet.
“Magpie Simpkins, yo’re a—a—exaggeratin’ things. By golly, we said we’d help Miss Greenbaum, and we’ll do it. Anythin’ she asks us to do is jist the same as done. Ain’t that right, Ike?”
“Well,” says I, “I hate to have anybody doubt that I don’t know what I’m sayin’—drunk or sober. I’m with you, Dirty.”
“I knew it,” says Miss Greenbaum. “I knew they would do it for me. It isn’t often that I make a mistake in human nature. When I first saw these two gentlemen, something told me that they were to be depended upon. Mr. Harper and Mr. Jones, I thank you.”
“Yo’re welcome,” says Dirty. “You sure are awful welcome.”
“Well, now that we’ve settled that part of it, I move that we adjourn. Tomorrow will be spent in preparin’ things. We’ve got a lot of work to do. ‘Scenery,’ you’ll bring yore autymobile in tomorrow?”