"Fix up the papers," he said, shortly, to Reedy's delight. He had expected to have to work much harder on the old man.
The next morning after the interview with Jim Crill Bob was at the hardware store assembling the implements he had bought, when a tall, shambling hill billy sauntered up.
"Hello, Noah Ezekiel Foster," said Bob, without looking up.
"Hello," responded the hill billy. "Reckon you know a hoss at long range."
"Reckon I do." Bob resumed his whistling.
"Don't also know somebody that wants a chauffeur for a tractor? Benson sold out my job."
"No." Bob straightened up and looked at the lank fellow appraisingly. "But I know a fellow who wants a chauffeur for a team of mules."
Noah Ezekiel shook his head. "Me and mules have parted ways a long time ago. I prefer gasoline." Then in a moment: "Who is the fellow?"
Bob grinned and tapped himself. "I'm the man."
Noah Ezekiel shook his head again.