“What do you think those two women will do to you?” Gaitskill queried.
“In that case, I presume you do not care to consider a matrimonial alliance with either,” Gaitskill grinned.
“What do you think those two women will do to each other when they compare the contents of those two letters?” Gaitskill asked next.
“It would be wise to recover those letters, if possible,” Judge Lanark suggested.
“I kin git ’em all right,” Tick said. “Bofe letters is layin’ on de groun’ close to de Shoofly chu’ch whar dey dropped ’em down when dey seed de ha’nt.”
“I’ll git ’em in de mawnin’, jedge,” Tick replied. “Nobody ain’t gwine pick ’em up to-night--not no niggers--dey ain’t!”
“Isn’t there some other woman you could fall in love with?” Gaitskill wanted to know.
“I advise you to choose a third party and marry her,” Gaitskill said.
“I’s kinder squeamish ’bout dat, kunnel,” Tick said earnestly. “You see, dis am de fustest time I is ever messed wid mattermony, an’ I ain’t real shore of my foot-holt.”
“You have messed it pretty well, so far,” Gaitskill laughed. “Of course, if you don’t want to marry, I think I can find some other man to put on my plantation as tenant----”
“Naw, suh, kunnel,” Tick interrupted with emphasis. “I’s gwine git dat job ef I’s got to mess up wid all de mattermony ladies in dis town. I needs dat job.”
“Go as far as you like,” Gaitskill smiled. “You can’t make me mad. If you get into trouble I’ll help you all I can, and I am sure the judge will give you the benefit of his legal knowledge and experience.”
“Will you-alls really he’p me, Marse Tom?” Tick asked eagerly.
Gaitskill did not know that his jesting words were being taken seriously. So his answer to Tick’s eager question was unfortunate. It had the effect of turning Tick loose on the community, feeling that he could do anything with impunity because the colonel and the judge were with him.
“Certainly,” Gaitskill said. “We’ll be glad to help you.”
“Could you begin he’pin’ by loantin’ me five dollars?” Tick asked diffidently.
“Give it to him!” Lanark exploded. “War munitions--campaign expenses!”
Tick turned away with the money in his pocket and exultation in his heart. With two great men to back his enterprises, he was sure he could accomplish great things. Whatever the risks, he would be perfectly safe. Even if he got into jail, the judge would help him out again.