A muffled sound, a quick contortion of the body, and an instinctive clutch of the hands got rid of the obstruction, which in a twinkling described a trajectory that impinged on Tom's left ear.
"Well, what's in the wind, now?" asked Joe, after this customary exchange of shots, which was an everyday occurrence.
"I've an idea, Joe."
"Howly Moses, you don't mean it! Terrible, terrible! Where did you catch it?"
"Catch your grandmother's sister's cat! Only, you're such a numskull, I'd try an' put it in your head."
"What! my grandmother's sister's——"
"No, you ass; a simple idea!"
"Then I'll bet tuppence it's simple enough, you goat!"
After this complimentary interchange Tom proceeded: "When we went out to the caves the other day, we said we'd return before the holidays were ended, an' we've come to the larst day, ole man. Ding-bust it! we'll have to make for home to-morrer, an'——"
"Ugh! don't mention it! Go on about the caves."