Part 68 (1/2)
Stover had seen from the first how the issue would have to be met, and met it at the first opportunity. Griffin having defied his authority by openly inviting the Millionaire Baby up for the nefarious practice of matching pennies, d.i.n.k marched up the stairs and entered the enemy's room.
A moment later the group expectantly gathered in the hall heard something within that resembled an itinerant cyclone, then the door blew open and Griffin shot out and raced for the stairs, while behind him--like an angry tom-cat--came Stover, in time to give to the panicky champion just that extra impetus that allowed him, as Dennis expressed it, to establish a new record--flying start--for the twenty-six steps. After this little explanation Griffin showed a marked disinclination for the company of Bellefont, and became, indeed, quite a useful member of the community, though he always retained such acute memories that an angry tone from Stover would cause him to fidget and calculate the distance to the door.
Griffin subdued, the Millionaire Baby still remained. The problem was a knotty one, for as Bellefont was still of sub-stature the means of correction were limited.
”What worries your Majesty?” said Dennis de Brian de Boru, perceiving Stover in stern meditation. ”Is it that beautiful specimen of flunky-raised squab ent.i.tled the Millionaire Baby?”
”It is,” said d.i.n.k. Between him and Dennis peace had long since been concluded.
”He is a very precious hothouse flower,” said Dennis sarcastically.
”He is the most useless, pestiferous, conceited little squirt I ever saw,” said d.i.n.k.
”I love him not.”
”But I'll get that flunky smell out of him yet!”
”The pity is he has such fat, juicy boxes from home.”
”He has--how often?”
”Every two weeks.”
”It oughtn't to be allowed.”
”What are you going to do? You can't take 'em by force.”
”No--that wouldn't do.”
”Still,” said Dennis regretfully, ”he's so young it is just ruining his little digestion.”
They sat a moment deliberating. Finally d.i.n.k spoke rapturously:
”I have it. We'll organize the Kennedy Customs House.”
”Aha!”
”Everything imported must pa.s.s the Customs House.”
”Pa.s.s?”
”Certainly; everything must be legal.”
”What am I to be?”
”Appraiser.”
”I'd rather be first taster.”
”Same thing.”