"Yes, Mr. Todd, everything was fine," replied Joe, not noticing the man's glance. "Now we'll settle with you."
"No hurry," said the proprietor. "I hear you're going to leave us soon—going up to a higher class in baseball, Joe."
"Well, there's some talk of it," admitted our hero, and as he took out the money to make the payment, the rough-looking man passed behind him. Joe dropped a coin, and, in stooping to pick it up, he moved back a step. As he did so, he either collided with the man, who had observed him so narrowly, or else the fellow deliberately ran into Joe.
"Look out where you're walking! You stepped on my foot!" exclaimed the man in surly tones. "Can't you see what you're doing? you country gawk!"
"I beg your pardon," spoke Joe quietly, but a red flush came into his face, and his hands clenched involuntarily.
"Huh! Trying to put on high society airs; eh?" sneered the other. "I'll soon take that out of you. I say you stepped on me on purpose."
"You are mistaken," said Joe, still quietly.
"Huh! Do you mean to say I'm sayin' what ain't so?" demanded the other.
"If you like to put it that way; yes," declared Joe, determined to stand upon his rights, for he felt that it had not been his fault.
"Be careful," warned Reggie, in a low voice.