"Now, just you look at this-here, Miss Lawrence," the man was enthusing, undoing another package. "Here's something I know you'll want; I think this-here is real quaint! Just look, now!" He displayed some long, narrow, dark object, holding it out to her. "Ain't this-here an interestin' item, now, Miss Lawrence?" "Ooooooh! What in heaven's name is that thing?" she demanded. "That-there's a sword.

Angry as he was, he knew it would be futile to do anything but try, even now, to placate this wretched specimen of a man. He had to think quickly. There was not an instant to lose. "But you said you didn't believe ..." he began; but Pell came mercilessly back at him! "I didn't then. The time was inopportune." Uncle Henry clutched the arms of his chair. "Ooooooh! The dirty bum!" he yelled.