"You're talking nonsense, boy," argued Dexter, restraining himself as best he could. "Now, see here, I'm sorry I thumped you. I've got a lot of use for a boy with as much sand and grit as you've shown. I can use you, and I can show you how to make a nice little lot of money by helping me in something that I have on hand. So come on. Get up and walk along with me while we talk it over."
Dexter rose, and Dick got to his feet as nimbly as he could. He ached, though, fortunately, he was not badly crippled by the pummeling that he had received.
"Come on, now, and let's take a little walk," urged the man persuasively.
But Dick Prescott glared back at the bully with all the contempt in the world in his look.
"Nothing doing in the way of walking together, Dexter," announced the boy.
"Why not?"
"Folks might see me with you."
"Suppose they did!"
"Then they'd imagine that I knew you. Dexter, a boy who hopes to grow up and become a useful citizen can't be too careful about the company he keeps."
"You confounded little imp! You're not tamed yet."