“Cut that out, fellows,” he remonstrated feebly.
“We’re only laughing,” giggled one of the boys.
“Wake up, Sam,” said Eldredge, who was Rogers’ age and had viewed the proceedings with unconcealed amusement. “You’re missing all the fun. If you didn’t eat so much——”
“If he didn’t eat so much he might keep order at the table,” said Myron.
Rogers was too surprised to reply, but Eldredge took up the cudgels in his behalf. “Oh, don’t be a grouch, Foster,” he sneered. “The kid didn’t hurt you. It was only fun.”
“I don’t like the kind, then,” answered Myron haughtily. “After this he can leave me out of his ‘fun.’”
“Oh, piffle! Come back to earth! If I’d been Tinkham I’d have shied the whole loaf at you. Then you’d have had something to kick about.”
“The something would have been you, then,” retorted Myron.
“Would it? Is that so?” Eldredge glared angrily across the table. “Think you’re man enough to kick me, do you? Why, say——”