Under His Thumb — page 90: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

~— UNDER HIS THUMB. a 81 you?” the young man pursued, to make assurance doubly sure. ; “No, I don’t.’’ “Very well, then—no harm is done. But you must not say anything about this affair to anybody.” “Anything about what?”’ “About seeing George Dyer and myself here to- night.”’ “T dunno as I care anything about it. I won’t promise not to speak of it, though.” “You must promise—I mean, you will.” Blain abruptly changed his tone from one of com- mand to one of persuasion. At the same time he produced a silver dollar, and held it temptingly be- fore the boy’s eyes. “You will promise for four or five of these, won't you?” the young man asked. “No, 1 won’t.’’ “Why not?’’ “T don’t fancy having my tongue tied up in that way. Somebody might offer me ten dollars to tell what I overheard, and then I’d lose money, don’t yer see?’’ , ‘*T will give you ten dollars to promise.’’ ‘‘Nixie, mister! You better not be too flush with yer old man’s money betore he pegs out. He may need it.”’ ‘““You’re an impudent young rascal. I will see that you are discharged from my father’s employ.”’ ‘““Go ahead, if you’re as mean as all that. I guess I can find a job more excitin’ than standin’ on one leg and runnin’ a Gordon press with the other.” Blain saw that the youngster was incorrigible, and he reflected that the boy probably knew noth- (E(ey jallicel exeye) “S me