Part 63 (1/2)
”Don't believe it, Joe; the janitor's a electrician, and he says--”
”Aw!”
”See! There it is, Joe.”
”Aw, I don't want everybody pokin' and nosin'!”
”Lemme have a look at it, old man. I know something about dynamos myself. Say, that looks like a neat little idea. How does she work?”
”See--you generate right down in here. See? She worked that time, ma.”
”Jimminycracks! Where'd you get your juice and--Well, well! Whatta you know about that? Don't even have to reverse. I guess that storage down there ain't some stunt!”
”See, Jimmie, my boy! I told you it was a grand invention. Hear what Joe says?”
”Say, kid, you bring that--take that over to the Inst.i.tute to-morrow. I know a fellow over there'll protect your rights and work that out with you swell.”
”See, Jimmie, your--your old ma was right!”
”Aw, the generator don't always work like that--only about four times out of six. I'm kinda stuck on the--”
”Say, kid, what you wanna do is protect your rights on that, and--and bring it over--take it over to the Inst.i.tute. You'll give 'em the jolt of their lives over there. I know a fellow's been chasin' this idea ten years, and you're fifty per cent. closer to the bull's-eye than he is.”
”Hear, Jimmie! Hear, Essie! Just like I been sayin'. I been beggin' and beggin' him, Joe, but he--he's so stubborn; and--”
”Aw, ma, cut it, can't you?”
”He's so stubborn about it, Joe.”
”There's no use tryin' to force him, ma; but he's gotta good idea there if he handles it right.”
”Aw, she ain't finished yet--she don't spark right.”
”That what I'm telling you, kid. What you need is a laboratory, where you've got the stuff to work with and men who can give you a steer where you need it, and--”
”Aw!”
”I'll go over with you. I know a fellow over there--he's the guy that helped Kinney win his transmitter prize. You'll give him the jolt of his life, old man. Huh, kid? Wanna go over?” He placed his hand on the gold-braided shoulder and smiled down. ”Huh? You on, old man?”
”Aw, I ain't much for b.u.t.tin' in places.”
”Are you on, Jimmie? It's your chance, old man.”
”Aw!”
”Jimmie! Jimmie, my boy, I--”
”Aw, I said I was on, didn't I, ma?”
”Sure, he said he was on, ma dearie. Shake on it, old man!”
”Jimmie! Jimmie, my boy--honest!--it's just like your papa was talkin'!