“Well, if you didn’t advise Wint to do this, what are you going to do now? Back him in his fight?” “You know,” said Amos, “Pete Gergue asked me just that. Ever hear the story about the lady and the bear, Kite? Bear chased the lady around the tree, and the lady’s husband was up the tree. Lady yells to him to come down and kill the bear; but husband just sets on his branch, out of reach, and yells: ‘Go it, wife; go it, b’ar.’ Ever hear that story, Kite?” Kite chuckled without any mirth in his dry old eyes. “No,” he said. “That man didn’t figure to play any favorites,” Amos explained. “And neither do I. Ain’t often I get a chance to set back and watch a fight. This time, I’m going to. On the sidelines. That’s me, Kite.” Kite protested instantly. “That’s not the fair thing, Amos. You and I worked together to put him in there, with the understanding he’d let the liquor business alone.” Amos lifted his hand. “Understanding was that Wint weren’t likely to monkey with it. You thought so. That’s why you was willing to help me. I didn’t make any promises, nor any predictions, Kite.” “But, damn it,” Kite insisted, “you ought to be willing to help me out. I helped you out.” “It would hurt me, Kite, to know I sanctioned nonenforcement.” “Nobody would know.” “They’d find out. Things like that do get out, you know, Kite.” The little man tugged at his side whiskers feverishly. “Amos,” he pleaded, “isn’t there anything you can do for me? This is bad business. I can’t stand it. I won’t stand it. Isn’t there anything you can do?” Amos considered, then he sighed, and said good-naturedly: “Kite, you’re an awful pest, stirring me up when I’m comfortable.” “You’ve got to do something.” “We-ell, I’ll tell you. I’ll take you to see Wint. You can put it up to him. That’s the best.” “You’ll back me up?” Amos shook his head. “You and him can have it out. I’ll not yell for either of you.” Kite protested: “A lot of good that will do.” Amos shrugged his big shoulders. “Well....” Kite got up hurriedly. “All right,” he agreed, before Amos could withdraw his offer. “All right, come on.” Amos looked ruefully at his feet, and wiggled his toes in his comfortable slippers. “I declare, Kite, I hate to put on shoes.” “Damn it, man, it’s your own offer,” Kite protested; and Amos admitted it, and groaned: “All right, I’ll come.” * * * * * Wint was in a cheerful humor, that morning. He had been depressed by his father’s attitude, disappointed that the elder Chase chose to oppose him. But at the same time, the opposition exhilarated him. After his father left the house, he went to see Joan for an hour; and without over-applauding the step he had taken, she spoke of the trouble and the opposition he would face, and the prospect pleased Wint. He took a cheerful delight in opposing people. He was never so good-natured as when he was fighting.