“Good-night, sir... good-night.”
But still the little car did not start. It's owner's next remark was explanatory of the delay.
“Course I HOPE you and I'll meet again, Mr. Bangs,” said Raish. “May see you in Wellmouth, you know. Still, such things are—er—kind of uncertain and—er—sendin' bills is a nuisance, so perhaps 'twould be better—er—easier for both of us—if we settled that little matter of ours right now. Eh?”
“I beg your pardon. Little matter? I'm afraid I don't quite—”
“Oh, that little matter of the three dollars for fetchin' you over. Course it don't amount to nothin', but I kind of like to get them little things off my mind, don't you? Eh?”
Mr. Bangs was very much “fussed.” He hurriedly dragged forth the big pocketbook.
“I beg your pardon—really I BEG your pardon,” he stammered over and over again. “I quite forgot. It was inexcusable of me. I'm SO sorry.”
Evidently he felt that he had committed a crime. Mr. Pulcifer took the three one dollar bills and waved the apologies aside with them.
“Don't say a word, Mr. Bangs,” he called, cheerily, as the car began to move. “Anybody's liable to forget. Do it myself sometimes. Well, so long. Hope to see you again one of these days. Good-night.”
The flivver moved rapidly away, gaining speed as it rushed for the hill. Galusha Bangs watched its tail-light soar and dwindle until it disappeared over the crest. Then, with a weary sigh, he picked up the heavy suitcase, plodded across the road and on until he reached the step and platform of Erastus Beebe's “General and Variety Store.” There was a kerosene lamp burning dimly upon the counter within, but the door was locked. He pounded on the door and shook it, but no one answered. Then, remembering Mr. Pulcifer's instructions, he entered the yard behind the store, found the door of Mr. Beebe's house and knocked upon that. There was not even a light in the house. The Beebes had gone—as most of East Wellmouth had gone—to the baked beans and brown-bread supper and sociable at the church. Galusha Bangs was not aware of this, of course. What he was aware of—painfully,
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