“You ought not to be at work. Have you had dinner?”
“I am not to have any.”
“Why not?” asked Dick, opening his eyes. “I knew old Badger was mean, but I didn’t think he was mean enough for that!”
“It’s a punishment,” Bill explained.
“What for?”
“For hitting Andrew Jackson with a hoe and knocking him down.”
“Did you do that, Bill?” exclaimed Dick in great delight, for he disliked Mr. Badger’s petted heir. “I didn’t think it was in you! Shake hands, old fellow, and tell me all about it.”
“I am afraid it was wicked, Dick, but I couldn’t help it. I must have hurt him, for he screamed very loud.”
“Better and better! I know how he treats you, Bill, and I tell you it’ll do him good—the young tyrant! But you haven’t told me about it.”
Bill told the story, to which Dick listened with earnest attention. He expressed hearty approval of Bill’s course and declared that he would have done the same.