Mr. Collins evinced satisfaction by means of his horse laugh.

“You'd last jest about one day up at the Third!” he said. “You'd come runnin' home, yellin' 'MOM-MUH, MOM-muh,' before recess was over!”

“No, I wouldn't,” Penrod protested rather weakly, dusting his knees.

“You would, too!”

“No, I w——

“Looky here,” said the fat-faced boy, darkly, “what you mean, counterdicking me?”

He advanced a step and Penrod hastily qualified his contradiction.

“I mean, I don't THINK I would. I——”

“You better look out!” Rupe moved closer, and unexpectedly grasped the back of Penrod's neck again. “Say, 'I WOULD run home yellin' “MOM-muh!”'”

“Ow! I WOULD run home yellin' 'Mom-muh.'”