“You know why not. Would you give another fellow away if you were in my place?”
“I would if he did as mean and contemptible a trick as that.”
“I don’t admit that it was mean and contemptible.”
“Then you’re ready to stand for it, are you?”
The voices of the two boys in controversy had attracted the attention of some workmen who were standing near, awaiting the blowing of the seven o’clock gong, and they moved over to the scene of the quarrel.
“The stout one’s Mr. Barriscale’s son,” said one of the men, “and the other one is Captain McCormack’s boy. I know ’em both.”
“Well,” was the response, “they’re both blue-bloods; let ’em fight it out, an’ see who’s the best fellow.”
By this time both boys were too excited to notice the gathering men or to hear their comments. Ben’s voice had grown louder as his anger increased, his face was deeply flushed, and his eyes had a dangerous look in them.
“I’m ready,” replied Hal, “to stand for anything my crowd did that night. That’s why I’m the only one of ’em here this morning.”