"Oh, you thought you could keep it quiet. But I found out, just the same."
"Found out what?"
"Why, it was you who said that mean thing about Mr. Barry planting corn on his field!" fairly exploded Tom. "You ought to be ashamed to look me in the face."
Benny was aghast.
"What—what?" he stammered.
"I don't wonder you can hardly speak," went on Tom, fiercely.
"Hardly speak?" interposed "Crackers." "Why, if you're not careful, he'll let off such a blast that we'll all get blown down flat."
"Well, suppose I did say it! It was all a joke!" admitted Benny.
"A fine joke!" jeered Tom. "Didn't it make Mr. Barry so mad that he almost felt like withdrawing his offer? Oh, I know all about it!"
The look of embarrassment faded from Benny's eyes, to be replaced by an expression of blazing anger.