Part 26 (1/2)
”Free hand? Of course, of course.” Tip was beginning to find the atmosphere oppressive. He pa.s.sed a handkerchief across his beaded brow.
Observing which, Billy said affectionately, ”It is hot in here. Shall I open a window?”
”Nemmine a window,” Tip said. ”Think a shake, Bill. Is it wise?”
”Wise?”
”You know what I mean.”
”Not I,” denied the cheerful Bill.
”You can't buck the party.”
”There ain't no such word, but just for the sake of argument, why can't I?”
”It has been done, but----”
”Where are the snows of yesteryear, huh?”
Tip nodded. ”Something like that.”
”If I don't appoint your men and do appoint mine, what particular form of devilment would the party feel called upon to put on me?”
”Devilment,” grinned Tip. ”You don't know us.”
”Backward and forward, sideways and from the bottom up. Don't you fool yourself I don't know you. I been looking over the situation a long time. It's been a liberal education.”
”So that's it,” murmured Tip. ”Driver told me, but I didn't believe him.”
”The judge sometimes tells the truth.”
Tip O'Gorman sighed. He thought he saw what he would have to do. And he didn't want to do it. It meant one more mouth to feed, and one more finger in the pie.
”You understand, Bill,” said he, ”that it was always intended you should have your share.”
”Nothing was ever said to me about any share,” said Billy truthfully.
”We occasionally prefer to leave something to the imagination.”
”It beats leaving it to the taxpayer,” smiled Billy.
”Sure, sure.”
”But my share you were speaking of, Tip,” prompted Bill. ”What is this share--large, small or indifferent?”
”That depends,” replied O'Gorman cadgily.
”On the weather, or some one's generosity?”
Was there mirth or something sinister in the gray eyes? Tip O'Gorman couldn't be sure. But Lord, there was no cause for apprehension. He'd been making himself unnecessary worry. Bill Wingo was too easy-going and good-natured to hold out on the boys. He was just making a play for his legitimate share. That was only right. Not that Tip had intended in the beginning that Bill should have his legitimate share.