LeaningtowardAbram，theCardinalturnedhisheadfromsidetoside，andpeered，\"chipped，\"andwaitedforananswering\"Chip\"
fromalittlegolden—hairedchild，buttherewasnowayforthemantoknowthat。
\"It’sjestassureasfate，\"hesaid。\"Youthinkyouknowme，an’youaretryin’totellmesomethin’。WishtolandIknowedwhatyouwant!Areyoutryin’totellme`Howdy’？Well，Idon’t’lownobodytobepoliter’anIam，sofarasIknow。\"
Abramliftedhisoldhat，andtheraindropsglistenedonhiswhitehair。Hesquaredhisshouldersandstoodveryerect。
\"Howdy，Mr。Redbird!Howd’yefindyerselfthisevenin’？I