"I mean it, by thunder." It was at this point that Charming Billy decided to have a word.
"Here, break away, there!" he yelled, pushing the belligerent sheepherder to one side.

"Hands off that long person! That there's _my_ dill pickle!" [Illustration: "HANDS OFF THAT LONG PERSON! THAT THERE'S _MY_ DILL PICKLE."] Mr.Dill was released, and Billy fancied hazily that it was because he so ordered; as a matter of fact, Mr.Dill, catching sight of him there, had thrown the men and their importunities off as though they had been rough-mannered boys.

He literally plowed his way through them and stopped deprecatingly before Billy.
"It is getting late," he observed, mildly reproachful.

"I thought I would show you the way to my room, if you don't mind." Billy stared down at him.

"Well, I'm going to be busy for a while yet," he demurred.