“You are a kind of king among the boys,” said Jack. Pewee grew an inch taller.
“They are all afraid of you. Now, why don’t you make us fellows behave? You ought to protect the little boys from fellows that impose on them. Then you’d be a king worth the having. All the boys and girls would like you.”
“I s’pose may be that’s so,” said the king.
“There’s poor little Columbus Risdale——”
“I don’t like him,” said Pewee.
“You mean you don’t like Susan. She is a little sharp with her tongue. But you wouldn’t fight with a baby—it isn’t like you.”
“No, sir-ee,” said Pewee.
“You’d rather take a big boy than a little one. Now, you ought to make Riley let Lummy alone.”
“I’ll do that,” said Pewee. “Riley’s about a million times bigger than Lum.”
“I went to the school-house this morning,” continued Jack, “and I found Riley choking and beating him. And I thought I’d just speak to you, and see if you can’t make him stop it.”