Mrs. Watson counselled peace. John ate his breakfast in
silence; but the young Watsons, and even Pearlie, thirsted
for revenge. Bugsey Watson forgot his Band of Hope teaching
of returning good for evil, and standing on the disputed
territory, he planted his little bare legs far apart and
shouted, dancing up and down to the rhythm:

Chew tobacco, chew tobacco,
Spit, spit, spit!
Old McGuire, old McGuire,
Nit, nit, nit!

Mrs. McGuire did occasionally draw comfort from an old
clay pipe--but Bugsey's punishment was near.

A long shadow fell upon him, and turning around he found
himself face to face with Mary Barner who stood spellbound,
listening to her lately installed Band of Hoper!

Bugsey's downfall was complete! He turned and ran down
the road and round behind an elevator, where half an hour
later Pearl found him shedding penitential tears, not
alas! because he had sinned, but because he had been
found out.

The maternal instinct was strong in Pearlie. Bugsey in
tears was in need of consolation; Bugsey was always in
need of admonition. So she combined them: