Meanwhile John had been peering into the coach and espied Walter on the back seat. Accustomed to regard his own convenience as a matter of more importance than that of anybody else, he was led to make a very selfish proposal.
“There’s a boy inside,” he said. “Perhaps he’ll get outside and give me his seat.”
This proposal struck Walter as refreshingly cool, but having a sense of what was due to himself, and always having been in the habit of standing up for his rights, he did not propose to gratify John.
“Thank you,” said he, dryly; “I’d rather keep my seat.”
“But I don’t want to get wet.”
“Nor I,” said Walter.
“I don’t see why I haven’t as much right to ride inside as he,” grumbled John, turning to the driver.
“So you would, and better, too, if you’d got in first,” said Abner, rather disgusted at John’s selfishness. “But I must be starting. So if you’re going along with me, you’d better climb up.”
“I’ll give you twenty-five cents if you’ll give me your seat,” said John, making a last appeal to Walter.
“Thank you,” said Walter, coldly; “I’m not in want of money.”