“Honest!” repeated Herbert. “I shouldn’t wonder if you had just come out of State’s prison.”
This remark Mike Hogan considered altogether too personal. The fact that it was true made it still more offensive. His tone completely changed now, and, instead of a whine, it became a growl, as he retorted:
“You’d better keep your tongue between your teeth, young whipper-snapper! You can’t insult me because I am a poor man.”
“You’d better look out,” said Herbert, angrily. “My father’s a lawyer, and a justice of the peace, and he’ll have you put in the lockup.”
“Come out here, and I’ll wring your neck, you young villain!” said Mike Hogan, whose evil temper was now fully aroused.
“I wish father was here,” said Herbert, indignantly.
“I’d lick you both, and make nothing of it!” exclaimed the tramp.
“I thought you were not strong enough to work,” sneered Herbert.
“I am strong enough to give you a beating,” growled Hogan.
“Go away from here! You have no business to lean on our gate!”