Part 15 (1/2)
”Why, now--now--I thought maybe I could get you--”
Sube opened negotiations without waiting for Sim to conclude his statements. ”What'll you gimme?” he asked.
”What'll you take?”
”Well, what'll you gimme?”
”Well, what'll you take?”
”Look here!” cried Sube with exasperation. ”Ain't I got to know what you pay before I can go to work for you?”
”Yes, and ain't I got to know what you charge 'fore I can hire you?”
returned Sim feebly.
”Huh!” snorted Sube as he made a feint to go on with the lawn-mower.
Sim came to time. ”Give you a dime,” he offered magnanimously.
Without deigning to reply Sube started on with the mower. He had cut twice across the lawn before Sim appeared at the corner of the house.
”Hey, Sube! Give you fifteen!” he called.
”Nuthin' doin',” returned Sube as he went about his work with renewed vigor.
He had two more strips to his credit when Sim stayed his progress with an offer of twenty cents.
”I don't work for less'n a quarter,” Sube announced loftily as he resumed his work.
”Hold on a minute! Can't you!” yelled Sim with unconcealed exasperation.
And as Sube halted in a position from which he could begin activities again with very little effort, Sim continued more affably: ”I only got twenty cents! I can't give you any more than I got, can I?”
”You had a quarter a couple of days ago,” charged Sube with an air of suspicion. ”What'd you do with the other nickel?”
”Spent it.”
”What for?”
”Some new rubbers for my slingshot.”
”Oh, that'll be all right!”
”_What_ will?”
”I'll take the twenty cents and the slingshot. Bring 'em to me before you start.”
And the lawn-mower moved on with just a little more noise and a little more speed than before.
CHAPTER X