"Aren't you going to give me that nickel?" threateningly.
"That ain't worth more'n a penny. How do I know whether it'll work?"
"Perry Alford's worked, and so did mine, and Bill Silvey's, Olaf's, Carl's, and the country kid's."
"The other kids aren't paying you no nickel."
"They are, too. Ask Mickey and his brother, and the Shepherd kids. They're going to be sick this afternoon, and they've paid me."
"I can go to Olaf," asserted the would-be dead-beat. "He'll tell me what you told him, and it'll only cost a penny."
"He'd better not! I'll smash his face in if he does. Are you going to give me that nickel?"
"Naw, I ain't."
John clenched his fists belligerently. His debtor raised both arms in a posture of defense. The principal tiptoed noiselessly around the end of the fence. John sparred for an opening and his opponent spied the approaching figure.