He revealed a most commendable temper when Mr. Link stipulated that he should play with the little girls.
“I won’t play with the girls,” he cried hotly. “I hate ’em. I’ll kill ’em if they try to play with me.”
“My, my!” exclaimed Mr. Link in dismay.
“Tut-tut!” said Mr. Sikes reproachfully.
“Oliver!” cautioned his father, speaking for the first time since the ordeal began.
“Well, I won’t play with girls,” repeated Oliver. “You bet I won’t. I hate ’em.”
“I guess there’s no reason why you can’t play with the boys,” compromised Mr. Link, “provided you’ll only remember that you mustn’t fight with ’em.”
“Well, I got to fight with ’em if they fight with me, don’t I?” cried Oliver.
“Spoken like a man,” said the minister, patting him on the shoulder.
“Well, I’ll be doggoned!” gasped Mr. Sikes, staring in disgust at the speaker. “And you a minister of the gospel!”