His faceblanched as his gaze alighted upon
us.
They may have been bad company for the boy, hut
they were healthy.
I felt that it was a time when each man must act
for himself. Ill teach you to be continuallygetting your father into
trouble!
None of them new fangled ideas for me, said George,
sternly. As time went on, Stanley became silent, and George increasinglyvoluble.
They got up as three or four half-naked athletesstrolled up behind him.
To say the least of it, Flannery, your criticism of
the hat of a goodcustomer is impolitic. I was getting my rightful due: respect and
civility.
Daisy gripped my hand tensely, and then
relaxed.
Go in and help Uncle George, I commanded. It was a
big store and crowded, yet my escape was easy.
Ill show youhow a man should live in the next few
days .
It is no expedition for boys, I replied gently.
Shake, Rocky, said Woggo, offering his hand to George.
Then Stanley took Maureen out in hismotor-cycle and
crashed with her.
It broke away from the Blue Garter end andwe
swooped through the air, all hanging on.
I just turned the gas on for the old chap and left
him. Im sure, I said, that Mrs Slatter would never think of such
athing.
Ive been standing here forthe past hour or so
waiting to be served!
Out ofthe corner of my eye, I saw the manager enter
the room.
I sawWoggo get up, I heard Eggs scream, Leave him
alone!
There was a little altercation asto who should go
first.
We stood for a while in silence, facing each other.
I was at least one floor nearerthe street and safety if nothing else. As time went
on, Stanley became silent, and George increasinglyvoluble. The car was comfortably
upholstered and we rolled alongwithout the slightest jolt. We thanked the marker and
went to luncheon.
George, I said, take Mary down to our place and sit
on the gas-boxtill we come. Of course he doesnt, put in Maureen, hurriedly. Instead
of making for the door at the street level, they kept going onup the stairs. Tellme
the exact position of Slatter in that room.