“That was a nice thing to do, wasn’t it?” he demanded.
“Aw, how could I help it!” growled Looker, not exhibiting the slightest compunction nor offering to go to Jimmy’s assistance. “He ought to have kept his eyes open and gotten out of the way.”
“I believe you did it on purpose,” broke in Herb.
“You can believe what you like,” snarled Buck. “How could I help it if Carl didn’t stop the ball?”
“It’s mighty funny that the first wild throw should come just as we were passing by,” observed Joe.
“And that it should be such a swift one,” added Herb. “You were just tossing the ball until you got near us. Then you let out with all your might. And Lutz didn’t even try to stop it.”
“I did make a try for it,” growled Lutz, though the look in his eyes did not bear out his statement.
They attempted to pass by, but Bob Layton barred the way.
“Just wait a minute,” he said. “Are you badly hurt, Jimmy?” he added, addressing his companion, whom he had helped to his feet.
“It—it knocked the breath out of me, and it hurt like the mischief,” gasped Jimmy, whose face was white and who spoke with difficulty. “But I guess I’ll be all right in a little while.”