"Nonsense, what are you picking at me for? I'm not harming anybody, am I?"
"No, but you're a God damned fool!"
"Look here, what have I ever done to you?"
"Nothin', only you're a white-livered stinker, an' I'm jest a-spoilin' foh a fight with you-all."
"But I don't want to fight with you."
"I'll make you," he replied, striding in; and fetching me a cuff on the ear ... then, in a far-away voice that did not seem myself, I heard myself pleading to be let alone ... by this time all the other boys had crowded down about the cell to see the fun.
I was humiliated, ashamed ... but, try as I would, the thought and vision of my uncle came on me like a palsy.
Bud stepped up. He had always been so meek and placid before that what he did then was a surprise to me.
"I'll fight!"
"What! you?" glowered the young farmer, surprised.