"Ain't you smart?" sneered one.
"You're a little too fresh, country!" said another.
Ben turned from one to another in surprise. He didn't understand in what way he had offended.
"What is the matter?" he asked. "What have I done?"
"What made you tell the lady what she had on her back?" demanded a third.
"I thought she ought to know," answered Ben.
"Oh, you did!" sneered the first. "What you wanted was a reward. I'm glad she didn't give you a cent."
"You judge me by yourself," said Ben, provoked. "I can be polite without being paid for it."
"Say that again!" said Mike Rafferty, a freckle-faced young rowdy, squaring off in a scientific manner.
"All right; I do say it again!" returned Ben, angrily.