"Now, Doe," resumed Stanley, "what have you to say for yourself before we leave the talking and get to business?"
"Nothing," replied Doe, "except that I'll go on being pally with Ray whatever you do, you—you set of cads!"
"I say"—Stanley was keeping his temper—"don't play the persecuted hero defying the world. It won't wash here."
"I'm not playing the persecuted hero," retorted Doe loudly, but with drowned eyes. "I didn't think myself mighty clever—I—"
"I thought you hadn't been listening," put in Banana-Skin in a quiet and torturing way.
"And I thought you'd nothing to say for yourself," added another.
"Steady, Banana," remonstrated Stanley, "don't tease the kid."
"They're not teasing me. I don't care what they say or what any of you do."
"What a little liar it is!" taunted Banana-Skin, "when he's fairly blubbing there."
"I'm not!"