“He couldn’t fly—that was the trouble,” said the fat man, chuckling. “He couldn’t fly. I guess we’ll call what’s left of his machine the ‘flyless-fly,’ instead of the Firefly. Ha, ha! Ho, ho!”
“I’ll—I’ll——” spluttered Noddy, but he did not know what to say.
“Well, are you going to pay me damages?” demanded the stand owner. “I want fifty dollars.”
“I—I haven’t any money here,” said Noddy.
“You haven’t any money? And yet you made a wager with me for one hundred dollars!” cried the fleshy individual. “I like your nerve! How were you going to pay me, I’d like to know?”
“I didn’t think I’d lose,” explained Noddy. “I thought I’d fly.”
“And where is my fifty dollars coming from?” again demanded the stand owner. “I want it and I’m going to have it. Here the carnival has opened, and I can’t do any business until I get a new stand. I ought to soak you a hundred dollars.”
“That’s right! Make him pay!” cried the throng.
“Look here!” exclaimed Noddy angrily, “I haven’t any money, and I can’t pay.”
“Then you had no right to make a wager with me,” said the fat man. “I put up my money, and you said you’d put up yours.”