Page:Caroline Lockhart--The full of the Moon.djvu/270

 when you speak to me in public like this, I wish you wouldn't be so familiar. Just take the time and call me Mister—Mister Strunk."

The highly entertained listeners saw Spiser's jaw drop.

"Not—the Los Angeles Strunk?"

Clarence nodded.

"The same. Named for my lovin' Uncle Clarence who showed his affection by kickin' me out so's I'd learn what a dollar is worth. I own seventy-five per cent. of the stock in the L.X. Cattle Company and I don't mind sayin' that it's worth all I'm gettin' to go through life tagged 'Clarence.' However, me man, they could 'a' added on 'Percy' and 'Claude' if it'd give me the privilege of tyin' a tin-can onto you when I come into my rights. Spiser, you're bounced. Git out o' that buggy and gimme the whip! Ridin' horseback is too fatiguin'."

It was true enough, and Clarence Strunk had the necessary papers to prove it, which same he produced with alacrity for Spiser's inspection.

"They're air-tight and water-proof!" declared Mr. Strunk. "And furthermore," he