Chip was doubled up like a jackknife. As he remained clasping his stomach and gasping, Obediah once more danced round, waving his hands in the air and crying:
“I guess that jarred you some!”
“That was fuf-fuf-fuf-foul!” came quickly from Jolliby.
“Didn’t nobody call time that I heard,” said Obed. “I asked you if you had enough and you said you didn’t. I thought I’d give yer some more.”
“Oh, you dud-dud-dud-did, hey?” cried the tall boy fiercely, as he straightened up. “That’s the way you dud-dud-dud-do it, hey? Well, just dud-dud-dud-do it some more!”
The encounter that followed convulsed every witness with laughter. Both lads seemed to close their eyes whenever they got into close connection, and at least nine out of ten of their blows were wasted on the empty air. Indeed, at one time they were actually back to back and still punching away with their eyes tightly closed. Finally Jolliby caught Obediah’s head under his arm and held it thus, while he threatened to smash the fat boy with his free hand.
“Break away!” laughed Dick, as he forced them apart, being compelled to drag Obediah from Jolliby’s clutch by main force.
“Here!” squealed the fat boy, holding out his hand to Chip, “give me my ear! You raked it off! I want it!”
“Got enough?” again demanded Chip.
“Not if anybody will furnish me with a custard pie and you will wait for me to eat it. I’m hungry.”