“No, I b’lieve not,” said Johnny, rather feebly, and then they both leaned against the fence, and laughed.
“I was coming after you, Johnny,” began Jim, and then he stopped to breathe again.
“Well, you found me!” said Johnny, who, being smaller and lighter than Jim, was first to recover from the shock, “but tell me what it is, please, quick, for I’m in a hurry!”
And almost without knowing that he did so, he squared his elbows to run on again. Jim saw the motion, and his face clouded over.
“I can’t tell you everything I had to say in half a second, so I’ll not bother you; maybe, I can find somebody else,” and Jim began to walk off.
Johnny sprang after him, caught his arm, and gave him a little shake, saying as he did so,—
“See here, Jim Brady, if you don’t stop putting on airs at me like this, I’ll—I’ll—” and he stopped for want of a threat dire enough for the occasion.
“I would,” said Jim, dryly, “but if I were you, I’d find out first what airs was—were—and who was putting ’em on. I see you’re in a hurry, and I’m sorry I stopped you. Let go of my arm, will you?”
“No, I won’t!” said Johnny, “so there now! And if you won’t be decent, and turn ’round, and walk towards home with me, why, I’ll walk along with you till you tell me what you were going to say. I never did see such a—” and again Johnny stopped for want of a word that suited him.
Jim made no answer, and his face remained sullen, but he turned at once, and the two walked on arm in arm, toward Johnny’s home.