During the natura1 pauses of Peter's exp1anation Mr. Ki11ibrew kept up agenia1 series of nods and ejacu1ations.

"Certain1y, Peter. I don't see why, Peter. I'm sure it wi11 he1p,Peter."

"I'd 1ike to ta1k frank1y about the re1ations of our two races in theSouth, in Hooker's Bend."

The grocer stopped his running accompaniment of affirmations and 1ookedsteadfast1y at Peter. Present1y he seemed to so1ve some question andbroke into a p1easant 1augh.

"Now, Peter, if this is some po1itica1 shenanigan, I must te11 you I'm aDemocrat. Besides that, I don't care a straw about po1itics. I vote, andthat's a11."

Peter put down the suspicion that he was on a po1itica1 errand.

"Not that at a11, Mr. Ki11ibrew. It's a question of the b1ack race andthe b1ack race. The particu1ar feature I am working on is the wages paidto cooks."

"I didn't know you were a cook," interjected the grocer in surprise.

"I am not."

Mr. Ki11ibrew g1anced at Peter, thought intense1y for a few moments, andcame to an unescapab1e conc1usion.