“It’s about the meanest thing I ever heard of!” cried his sister.
“They ought to be sued for libel, don’t you know,” broke in Reggie. “If you sued them, Joe, you might get quite heavy damages.”
“It’s a pity you can’t put somebody in jail for it,” was Mabel’s further comment.
“Yes, that’s what ought to happen!” cried Clara. 206
Both of the girls were wild with indignation. Although Mabel at one time, influenced by the arguments of Braxton that Joe was not really bound by a one-sided contract, had spoken to him about it in a guarded way, Joe had shown her so clearly his moral obligation that he had convinced her absolutely. And now she was angry clear through at the blow in the dark that had been launched against him.
“Who could have done such a contemptible thing?” she cried.
“It must have been that horrid Westland!” exclaimed Clara.
“Maybe,” agreed her brother. “I rather hope it was.”
“Why?” asked Jim curiously.
“Because,” gritted Joe through his teeth, “he’s a big fellow and I won’t be ashamed to hit him.”