“Yes, I want to see you,” replied Waddie, moving up to me, and flourishing his stick. “You must settle my account before you see my governor.”
“What do you want of me?” I demanded, as I edged up to a big tree, which would protect me from an assault in the rear.
“You told my father I was the biggest liar in town,” blustered Waddie. “I’m going to give you the biggest licking for it you ever had in your life.”
“Go in, Waddie!” shouted Sam Peppers. “We’ll stand by, and see fair play.”
“Are you ready to take your licking?” bullied Waddie, who did not seem to be quite ready to commence the operation.
“No, I am not,” I answered, quietly; and I never spoke truer words in my life.
“You called me the biggest liar in town—didn’t you?”
“I did.”
“Have you anything to say about it?”
“I have,” I replied, still moved by the gentle words of gospel wisdom which my mother had spoken to me.