And he knew that Barney was
shrewd, grimly tenacious, and limitless in self-confidence and
ambition.
"And listen to this, too, Larry Brainard," Barney's temper carried him
on. "Don't you mix in and try any preaching on Maggie." He half turned
his head jealously. "Maggie, don't you listen to any of this boob's
Salvation Army talk!"
Maggie did not at once respond, but stood gazing at the two
confronting figures. To her they were an oddly dissimilar pair: Barney
in the smartest clothes that an over-smart Broadway tailor could
create, and Larry in the shapeless garments that were the State's gift
to him on leaving prison.
"Maggie," he repeated, "don't you listen to this boob's talk!"
"I'll do just as I please, Barney."
"But you're going to come our way?" he demanded.
"Of course."
He turned back to Larry. "You hear that? You leave Maggie alone!"
Larry did not answer, though his temper was rising. He looked over
Barney's head at Maggie's father.
"Jimmie," he remarked in his same even voice, "anything more you'd
like to say?"
"I'm through."
"Then," said Larry, "better lead your new commander-in-chief out of
here, or I'll carry him out and spank him."
"What's that?" snarled Barney.
"Get out!" Larry ordered, in a voice suddenly like steel.
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