"What fer?" demanded the retainer.
"Oh, b'cause."
"Huh?"
"Oh, it's more fun—goin' this way."
The retainer was bored and loath, but that mattered very little. He did not know how to disobey his chief. Together they followed the trail of red-hooded Abbie and another small girl. These latter at once understood the object of the chase, and looking back giggling, they pretended to quicken their pace. But they were always looking back. Jimmie now began his courtship in earnest. The first thing to do was to prove his strength in battle. This was transacted by means of the retainer. He took that devoted boy and flung him heavily to the ground, meanwhile mouthing a preposterous ferocity.
The retainer accepted this behavior with a sort of bland resignation. After his overthrow he raised himself, coolly brushed some dust and dead leaves from his clothes, and then seemed to forget the incident.
"I can jump farther'n you can," said Jimmie, in a loud voice.
"I know it," responded the retainer, simply.
But this would not do. There must be a contest.