'bout like I please; it sho' is one time you can make grown
folks step lively." He looked at Jimmy meditatively, "It sho'
is a plumb pity you ain't a ol' chile like what I is an' can't
have the mumps. Yo' ma 'd be skeered to spank you, skeered
she 'd injuh yo' mumps. Don't you come any closter to me," he
again warned, "you too little to have 'em."

"I'll give you five peewees if you'll lemme tech 'em so 's
I can get 'em," pleaded the younger boy.

Billy hesitated. "You mighty little--" he began.

"And my stoney," said the other child eagerly.

"If you was a ol' little boy," said Billy, "it wouldn't make no
diffunce; I don't want to make yo' ma mad an' Aunt Minerva say
for me to keep 'way f'om you anyhow, though I didn't make her no
promises."

Jimmy grew angry.

"You're the stingiest Peter they is, William Hill," he cried;
"won't let nobody tech your old mumps. My cousin in Memphis's
got the measles; you just wait till I get 'em."

Billy eyed him critically.

"If you was ol'--" he was beginning.

Jimmy thought he saw signs of his yielding.