“I should say so!” muttered Carker.
“It’s not poetry,” asserted Ready.
“I admit,” said Boltwood, “that it contains more truth than poetry.”
Then Bingham snorted again.
“You’re altogether too gay, my fresh young friend!” cried Jack, getting hold of Boltwood and giving him a shake.
“Oh, I think you are mistaken!” exclaimed Boltwood, getting hold of Jack and giving him a fiercer shake.
“What the deuce are you doing?” cried Ready.
“What the deuce are you doing?” asked Boltwood.
Then Jack got mad and smacked the freshman with his open hand. But quick as a flash Boltwood came back with his open hand, nearly knocking Jack’s head off.