Crow.
"Well, then, Anderson, I'd like to know how the dickens she could use
her own handkerchief if she was stabbed to the heart," protested Ed. He
had been crying half the time. Anderson was stunned for the moment.
"Why--why--now, look here, Ed Higgins, I ain't got time to explain
things to a derned idgit like you. Everybody else understands _how_,
don't you?" and he turned to the crowd. Everybody said yes. "Well, that
shows what a fool you are, Ed. Don't bother me any more. I've got work
to do."
"Say, Anderson," began Alf Reesling from the outer circle, "I got
something important to tell--"
"Who is that? Alf Reesling?" cried Anderson wrathfully.
"Yes; I want to see you private, Anderson. Its important," begged Alf.
"How many times have I got to set down on you, Alf Reesling?" exploded
Anderson. "Doggone, I'd like to know how a man's to solve mysteries if
he's got to stand around half the time an' listen to fambly quarrels.
Tell yer wife I'll--"
"This ain't no family quarrel. Besides, I ain't got no wife. It's about
this here--"
"That'll do, now, Alf! Not another word out of you!" commanded Anderson
direfully.
"But, dern you, Anderson," exploded Alf, "I've got to tell you--"
But Anderson held up a hand.
"Don't swear in the presence of the dead," he said solemnly. "You're
drunk, Alf; go home!" And Alf, news and all was hustled from the
schoolhouse by a self-appointed committee of ten.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116