"No, I won't."
"Let him up, Mark," said Johnny. "He won't dare to attack me while you are here."
"No, I think not. Get up then, James, and take care how you pitch into Johnny again. Just as sure as you do, you'll have to settle accounts with me."
Released from the pressure that held him down, James rose, angry and humiliated. He would sooner have been worsted by any one than Mark, whom, for some reason not easy to divine, he especially hated.
"You took me at advantage," he said, sullenly, "or you couldn't have thrown me."
"Do you want to try it again?" asked Mark, quietly. "Now we stand face to face, and you have as fair a chance as I."
"I don't care to demean myself by fighting with such a low working boy as you."
"I commend your prudence, James," said Mark, undisturbed by this taunt. "As for being a working boy, I am not ashamed of that."
"You're only a common pegger."
"Very true, I hope to rise higher some time."