"Jacky," he said, with amiable disregard for the novice's tardiness,
"would you mind letting me take fifty dollars until to-morrow? There's
a guy out here that threatens to attach us if I don't settle an
outrageous bill for feed and provisions. I'm just forty-eight fifty
short."
No one spoke. David did not even glance at Grinaldi or the others. He
knew and they knew that there was no such claim against Braddock. He
hesitated for an instant only. Then it was borne in upon him that
Braddock may have heard of his walk with Christine and was demanding
tribute.
He picked up his coat and deliberately drew from the lining a thin,
folded bit of paper. It contained all the money that was in his
possession at the time. He counted off five ten-dollar bills, replaced
the remaining thirty dollars inside his striped shirt, and handed the
tribute to Braddock.
"You're a damn' fine boy, Jacky," said the man. "I'll not forget
this."
Later on he demonstrated the sincerity of the remark.
He came back when the show was half over, and with vast good nature
took David over to where Mrs. Braddock and Christine were standing
with wonder and doubt in their faces.
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