PIKE [puzzled]. Draw him off?
ALMERIC. What you Americans call "affixing him," isn't it?
PIKE. "Affixing him?" Don't try to talk United States, my son. Just tell
me in your own way.
ALMERIC. She's been giving him money, hasn't she? You took it to him
yourself, didn't you? Naturally, we understood what it was for. She's
trying to keep the beggar quiet.
PIKE. So that's what she sent this poor cuss the money for, was it?
ALMERIC. Why, what other reason could there be?
PIKE. Well, you know I sort of gathered it was because she was sorry for
him--thought he'd been wronged; but, of course, I'm stupid.
ALMERIC. Well, ra-_ther_! I don't know that it was so necessary for her
to hush him up, but it showed a very worthy intention in her, didn't it?
PIKE [slowly]. Would you mind my being present when you thank her for
it?
ALMERIC. Shouldn't in the least if I intended thanking her. It simply
shows she considers herself already one of us. It's perfectly
plain--why, it's plain as _you_ are!
[Chuckles.]
PIKE. Oh! if I could only get it over to Kokomo! And that's why you're
not worrying, is it, son?
ALMERIC. Worrying? My good man, do you mind excusing me. I saw a most
likely pup yesterday; I'm afraid some other chap'll snatch him up before
I do. I should have taken him at once.
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