“I’m going to stay where I am,” said Ben firmly. “I have as much right to be here as you.”
“It’s mane business for a boy like you to rob poor boys of their customers.”
“You talk about poor boys,” retorted Ben, “I’m a poor boy myself.”
“You look like it, wid them clothes!” said Patsy, with withering sarcasm.
“I wear good clothes, I admit, but they were given me by a gentleman in Boston. It was a piece of good luck. I haven’t any more money than either of you. I have to live on what I make.”
This statement the two newsboys did not believe, and their looks showed that they did not.
“Me and Patsy are in earnest,” went on Mike. “You’ve got to keep away from this corner.”
“And what if I don’t?”
“Den we’ll lick you.”
By this time Ben’s spirit was roused.