Hopalong ran out into the hall and narrowly missed kicking Billy into Kingdom Come as that person slid down the stairs, surprised and indignant.
Mr.Billy Williams, who sat at the top of the stairs, was feeling hungry and thirsty when he saw his friend, Mr.Pete Wilson, the slow witted, approaching.
"Hey, Pete," he called, "come up here an' watch this door while I rustles some grub.

Keep yore eyes open," he cautioned.
As Pete began to feel restless the door opened and a dignified gentleman with white whiskers came out into the hall and then retreated with great haste and no dignity.

Pete got the drop on the door and waited.

Hopalong yanked it open and kissed the muzzle of the weapon before he could stop, and Pete grinned.
"Coming to th' fight ?" He loudly asked.

"It's going to be a shore 'nough sumptious scrap--just th' kind yu allus like.