And--this was the most annoying and disturbing fact connected with the sight--the hardware dealer was not scowling, he was laughing.

The Winslow foot fell to the floor with a thump and its owner sat up straight.
"He, he, he!" chuckled Phineas.

Jed regarded him silently.
Babbitt's chuckle subsided into a grin.

Then he spoke.
"Well," he observed, with sarcastic politeness, "how's the great Shavin's Jedidah, the famous inventor of whirlagigs?
He, he, he!" Jed slowly shook his head.

"Phin," he said, "either you wear rubbers or I'm gettin' deaf, one or the other.