"However, it won't do you any good to attempt to do your talking before you've heard me." "If I've been interfering with your rights, then I certainly owe you an apology," Tom answered, with mock gravity.

"May I beg you to begin your speech ?" "I will if you'll keep quiet long enough, boy," Jim Duff retorted.
"I'll try," sighed Reade.

"Let's hear you." "This committee of gentlemen--" began the gambler.
"All gentlemen ?" Tom inquired gravely.
"This committee," Duff started again, "have concerned themselves with the fact that you have done much to make business bad here in Paloma.
You have prevented hundreds of workmen from coming into Paloma to spend their wages as they otherwise would have done." "Some mistake there," Reade urged.

"I can't control the actions of my men after working hours." "You've persuaded them against coming into town," retorted Duff sternly.
"None of the A.G.

& N.M.workmen come into Paloma with their wages." "I'm glad to hear that," Tom nodded.