“I’m not going to get hurt,” responded Tubb. “Don’t worry about me, Frick. And I’m not going to hurt you—to-day. I just stopped to tell you that I’m keeping my affair till later on. Didn’t want you to think you were getting away with what you did last week, because you’re not. It’s chalked up against you and you’ll get what’s coming to you when it’s time. There’s no hurry——”
“Shut up, Tubb,” begged Toby. “Come on!”
“Mind your own business, Tucker!” snarled Frick. “You’re a nice one to talk that stuff! I’ve got something for you, too, you swell-headed little carrot! As for you, Tubb, or whatever your silly name is, I’m ready whenever you are! Right now if you like! I’ll take on the two of you! Come on! What do you say?”
“There’s going to be no scrapping here,” said Toby resolutely. “There’s going to be none anywhere for awhile. You keep what you’ve got for me, Frick. I’ll ask for it when I’m ready. Tubb, you——”
“You’ll get it when I’m, ready!” growled Frick. “I’d give it to you now if——” He glanced over the beach and, furtively, toward the school, whose upper windows were visible above the stretch of woods.
“Yes, and get thrown out of school,” assented Toby grimly. “Not for me, thanks! There’s time enough. Come on, Tubb.”
“All right,” Tubb smiled cheerfully. “No use getting in trouble about this guy. See you again, Frick. Be good to yourself!”
“Yes, run along, little boys,” answered Frick, laughing angrily. “For a plugged nickel I’d bang your fool heads together!”
Toby tightened his hold on Tubb’s arm, but Tubb only laughed and went on. “Gee, that did me a lot of good,” he said contentedly. “He’s a big bluff, I guess, Tucker.”
“Maybe. Still, they say he’s pretty handy with his fists. Anyhow, I’m glad you’re out of that, Tubb. We’d all been finished for fair if you two had scrapped here on Sunday afternoon!”