“Al, I think you’d better stop the wrangling out there.” He stared at her, appeared suddenly to hear the loud voices from the street, and then, releasing Madeline, he said:
“By George! I forgot, Flo. There is a little business to see to. Keep my sister in here, please, and don’t be fussed up now.”
He went out on the porch and called to his men:
“Shut off your wind, Jack! And you, too, Blaze! I didn’t want you fellows to come here. But as you would come, you’ve got to shut up. This is my business.”
Whereupon he turned to Stewart, who was sitting on the fence.
“Hello, Stewart!” he said.
It was a greeting; but there was that in the voice which alarmed Madeline.
Stewart leisurely got up and leisurely advanced to the porch.
“Hello, Hammond!” he drawled.
“Drunk again last night?”