“I was touched,” Merry repeated, “and I resolved to teach you a little lesson free of charge. You need it. You are altogether too Ready—with your mouth. You must learn to keep it closed. A man with his mouth always open is liable to get bugs in his throat.”
“Your words move me to tears,” said the freshman, sniffling.
“You’ll be up against something besides words before long,” said Halliday, as the cab tore round a corner and flung its occupants from one side to the other.
“You’ll be highly entertained before morning,” promised Rattleton.
“Who is this other gent in the corner who keeps so persistently silent?” inquired Ready, reaching out and poking Bart Hodge in the eye with his forefinger, nearly gouging the optic out of Bart’s head.
Hodge shouted forth an exclamation of pain.
“Refuse me!” chuckled Ready, once more. “It is very difficult to judge distances here in the dark. Besides that, the carriage lurches violently when it is least expected.”
“We’ll have to chain the creature, Merriwell,” said Halliday, “or he’ll have us all used up before we arrive at our destination.”
“What, ho!” cried Ready. “Wouldst place shackles upon me throbbing limbs! Avaunt! base creatures, get thee gone! Attempt but to place the weight of a finger upon me, and the fire of Jove shall strike thee dead!”
He flung his hands about in a reckless manner, jerked one elbow backward and nearly knocked Rattleton’s head from his shoulders.