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 ways lived a good, clean, Christian life, tendin' our own personal business, and ain't never tried to pinch no novelties from outside artists.

We are—we always been—originators and innovators, Hugo announced proudly.

That's the way we always been billed, declared Mrs. Hugo, who, although not a member of the act, always spoke of it as We.

I know that, O'Grady averred sympathetically.

Well, you could a knocked us down, Robin moaned.

They copped our double backhand spring and return, Hugo explained.

That's the climax of your act! Gunnar cried excitedly.

The same. Now you know we ain't no more like the Samsons than soup's like wild honey. We're honest, clean professionals. Well, we tried that new stunt last week on the Pantages.

I told Robin we hadn't oughter done it, Hugo interpolated. I was for savin' it till we opened on big time.

You was right, his brother admitted from the lownesses of despair. Well, the Samsons was out front at Norfolk and they trimmed us. We ain't got nothin' new for big time now.

How about that balance stunt? O'Grady proffered the substitute.

Good, but not enough class, not enough pep.