"I cannot leap the distance."
"Then swim across."
"The current is too strong. Besides, I have no more wish for your company than for the company of that snake which just disappeared."
"Boy, you are a—a young scamp!" burst from Lemuel Hankers' lips.
"Thanks, but I don't wish any of your backhanded compliments, Lemuel Hankers. I am not half as much of a scamp as you are a villain."
"A villain?"
"That's what I said."
"Don't you dare to call my dad names," put in Bart, shaking his fist across the stream.
"I overheard your plot," went on Dave, ignoring Bart. "It's a pretty piece of business for a gentleman to propose."
At this Lemuel Hankers grew red and then pale.