"You are right, there," said Jed, in hearty concurrence with the speaker.
"And he was very unwise to let you keep the money. If it was five cents, now, I wouldn't mind," continued Mr. Fogson with noteworthy liberality. "But a dollar! You couldn't be trusted to spend a sum like that properly at your age."
"I am almost sixteen," said Jed significantly.
"No matter if you are. You are still a mere boy. But I don't propose to waste any more words. Hand over that money!"
Jed felt that the critical moment had come. He must submit to a flagrant piece of injustice or resist.
He determined to resist.
He met Fogson's glance firmly and resolutely, and uttered but two words: "I won't!"
"Did you ever hear such impudence, Mrs. Fogson?" asked her husband, his face becoming red and mottled in his excitement.
"No, Simeon, I didn't!" ejaculated Mrs. Fogson.
"What shall I do?"