"By jiminy crimps!" repeated Seth, "I've been prayin' all these years to meet you somewheres alone, and now I've a good mind to--to--" His big fist closed.

Bennie D.stepped backward out of reach.
"Bascom--" he cried, "don't--" "Don't you call me that!" "Bascom--" The inventor was thoroughly frightened, and his voice rose almost to a shout.
The lightkeeper's wrath vanished at the sound of the name.

If any native of Eastboro, if the depot master on the other side of the track, should hear him addressed as "Bascom," the fat would be in the fire for good and all.

The secret he had so jealously guarded would be out, and all the miserable story would, sooner or later, be known.
"Don't call me Bascom," he begged.

"Er--please don't." Bennie D.'s courage returned.