"Goodness sake, you are yarning yourself," retorted Percy indignantly, "to pretend that you don't know that last night a dozen or more fellows called on Joe, and he handled 'em without gloves, so that Bingley and Dobbs can't hardly step to-day."
"It's the first word I've heard of it," said David slowly, but emphatically, and staggering back a step or two to look at Percy. "I was out all the evening. Oh, magnificent old Joe!"
"Magnificent old Joe!" repeated Percy, "you better say 'poor Joe,' when you know what they are intending to give him."
CHAPTER XIX.
MOTHER FISHER AND CHARLOTTE.
David's blue eyes flashed dangerously. "Tell all you know, Percy," he said briefly.
"Dobbs heads it, as he did the first one," said Percy; "they've changed their tactics, and will get at Joe on their way home from that confounded meeting. Dave, can't you keep him from that?" and Percy, forgetting himself, peered anxiously over his glasses.
"No," said David shortly, "and I sha'n't try."
"You're an idiot," cried Percy, in a passion, "a stupid, blind old donkey! Joe will be mauled dreadfully," he howled, beating his hands together in distress; "no help for it but to keep him away from that old association meeting."
"Anything more to tell?" asked David.