“You’re going to,” responded Kid with uncanny certainty.
“Bet you I don’t!”
“Bet you you do! You’re trying not to, but you can’t keep it in for long, Small.”
“I’m not trying not to! I don’t want to cough; I couldn’t cough if I tried!”
“Then stop holding your breath. I don’t care if you want to be ill, Small; you don’t need to get waxy with me about it. Besides, a cough’s nothing to be ashamed of. If I wanted to cough I’d cough!”
“I don’t want to cough, I tell you!” cried Small exasperatedly.
“And, anyhow,” went on Kid imperturbably, “I’ve heard it’s injurious to try to—to restrain coughter—I mean coughing.”
“I tell you—oh, you make me tired!”
“Go on, Small; let it out.”