“What, that scrap of a boy? You’re jokin’, Atkins,” said one of the men.
“I ain’t jokin’, Tom,” Mr. Atkins drew himself up and declared; “Davie may be a scrap of a boy, but he’s worth more’n some men. An’ it beats all how he can tell th’ truth. An’ I never see nothin’ like it for manners he has—he can keep shop real elegant,” the storekeeper wound up in pride.
“Somethin’ different from Joel,” laughed Tom.
“Well, now, Joel’s all right,” declared Mr. Atkins.
“I’d ruther have Joel,” said Tom. “David is such a meek little mouse.”
“David Pepper ain’t sech a meek little mouse as you think,” said Mr. Atkins decidedly.
“That’s so,” said Farmer Jones. “Remember the burglar in this very shop here, Tom.”
“To be sure!” said Tom, “I forgot that he was th’ boy.”
“Them two boys is as diffrunt as can be,” said the storekeeper, “but they can’t be beat, neither one on ’em. And don’t you never let any one call David a meek little mouse, Tom Sanders. He’s little, but he’s got a mighty lot o’ grit aboard. Why, here he comes now!” he cried joyfully.
Every one whirled around as the door opened and David Pepper walked in.