You can imagine that it did not take him long to touch wood, and "Zip!" Umberufen stood before him.
"Well, so you need me again, do you?"
"Yes, sir," said Billy.
"The last time you treated me very badly."
"I'm very sorry."
"Humph! that won't pay for a ruined suit of clothes—everything I had on warped dreadfully. But I suppose I shall have to forgive you—what is it?"
"I want you to carry a message to Mr. Gas."
"Out of my district," said Umberufen curtly.
"But you often go to Mr. Gas," said Billy; "this is a matter of life and death."
"I can't go to him unless he touches wood."