By this time a dozen boys had surrounded the two belligerents, with others constantly arriving. Several men stood laughingly in the background.
“See here, freshie, do you want to fight?” blustered the fat boy. “If you do, just call me another name and see what happens.”
“Rhinoceros,” flung back Teddy, white with defiance. Both his fists were now doubled menacingly.
“Teddy Burke!” a surprised, disapproving voice caused Teddy’s eyes to leave the fat boy’s face momentarily. Harry Harding was pushing his way through the crowd to Teddy’s side. “What is the matter here, Ted?”
“Aw, I bumped into this—this fellow and upset his tray and now he wants to lick me for it. I didn’t mean to, but he’s so thick he can’t get it through his head.”
“He did it a-purpose,” sputtered the boy. “Now I haven’t any dinner or any more money. I gotta have something to eat.” His voice became a whine.
“Oh, you make me tired,” retorted Teddy scornfully. “Do you s’pose I wasn’t goin’ to pay for your old dinner? Here’s a dime. Go buy another, and keep still.” He handed the fat boy his dime.
The latter clutched it eagerly. “But my dinner cost fifteen cents,” he objected, as he pocketed the silver.
At this moment one of the women employed in the lunch room had come forward to clear away the wreck.
“Wait a minute, please.” Harry Harding began an examination of the food on the floor. Then he turned to the woman. “Isn’t this a ten-cent dinner?” he asked. “Is there anything besides the regular dinner there?”