"I'm just as smart as you are, Nat Nason."
To this our hero made no reply. He had brought out some of the papers, and was looking them over with much interest.
"If you don't want to help me git a job, I'll git one on my own hook," continued Fred, who was as dull as he considered himself bright.
"Well, you have a right to do as you please," said Nat. "But please leave me alone now, Fred; I want to read these very carefully."
"Huh! I'm going to stay in the garret as long as I please."
Nat said no more, and Fred began to kick the step upon which he was sitting. Then, he began to thump on the rafters of the garret, bringing down some dirt on Nat's head.
"Stop that, Fred!" cried our hero, sharply. "Stop it, I say!"
"I ain't goin' to stop."
"If you don't stop, I'll put you downstairs, first thing you know."
"You can't do it."