.. tell the boys they can come. Tell
them they'll be welcome ... So far I've had no trouble here ...
everybody has been right decent with me," affecting a Western,
colloquial drawl, "and I've tried to treat everybody, for my part, like
a gentleman,--ain't that true?"
"That's true, Mr. Gregory" (it was suddenly "Mr. Gregory" now, not
"Johnnie"). "As I was saying just the other day, there's lots worse in
the world than Mr. Gregory that ain't found out."
"I want to leave this message with you, Jim. I'm from the West. I'm a
good shot. I've got a six-shooter ready for business up at the cottage.
I've got a lot of extra bullets, too. As I've said, I ain't the kind
that looks for trouble, but when anybody goes out of their way--Well, as
I said before, as soon as the boys begin getting rough--I'll begin to
shoot ... I'll shoot to kill, and I'll kill everybody I can get, till
someone gets me."
"Yes, Mr. Gregory!"
"Mind you, Jim, I've always considered you as my friend. I mean what I
say. I'm a householder. I'm in the right ... if the law wants me that's
another matter ... but no group of private citizens--"
"Good-bye, Mr. Gregory."
* * * * *
I walked rapidly back to the cottage. I was thinking as rapidly as I
walked. For the space of a full minute I thought of packing off
ignominiously with my little household.
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