TURKEYS 99 



As the meeting promised to be of some interest, 

 I peeped through a window and prepared to get 

 as much enjoyment out of the engagement as the 

 nature of the circumstances would allow. 



Straight toward old Tom came the lady with 

 rapid and measured strides. Instantly he hoisted 

 his tail, injected about a quart of scarlet war- 

 paint into his head and neck, stuck every feather 

 on end, and let out a fierce rolling gobble. The 

 walk slowed down a bit, and the lady cut her smile 

 of confidence down one half, but still advanced 

 warily. 



The gobbler then made a whining imitation 

 of a watchman's rattle, laid the feathers of his 

 neck flat until his head looked snaky, and took 

 a few side steps toward his visitor. 



" Shoo, you nasty thing ! Shoo ! ! scat ! ! ! go 

 away!!!!" screamed the lady, stopping abruptly. 



Old Tom whined like a dog, ending with a sort 

 of bass croak that seemed to come from the pit 

 of his stomach, then took a few more steps for- 

 ward on tiptoe, and sounded the watchman's 

 rattle, winding up with a fierce gobble. 



"Go away, you nasty thing! Shoo!! scat!!!" 

 shrieked the lady. "Oh, why don't somebody 

 come? Oh-ee ! ! Oh-ee ! ! Get away ! !" she shrieked 

 vigorously, and somewhat improperly shaking 

 her skirts, with marked scenic effect. 



This was the chip on the shoulder, the chal- 



