"Oh, pshaw!" he exclaimed, "I guess
you're all worked up, Kid, so I ain't takin' no notice. But savvy this,
Kid, if Hermy ain't goin' t' marry me on th' level, she ain't goin' t'
let this guy have her--the other way--not much! I guess you ain't
forgotten little Maggie Finlay? Well, watch out your pal Geoff don't
make Hermy go th' same."
Uttering a wild, inarticulate cry, the lad sprang--to be caught in
M'Ginnis's powerful grasp, but, even so, his fist grazed M'Ginnis's
full-lipped mouth. For a moment Spike strove desperately to reach Bud's
grim-smiling face until, finding his efforts vain, he ceased all at
once, bowed his head upon his arms, and burst into a passion of bitter
sobbing; then, with an agile twist, he wrenched himself free, and
turning, sped away, heedless of his jaunty straw hat that had fallen and
lay upon the dusty sidewalk. Languidly Soapy stooped and picked it up.
"His noo lid!" said he. "Only bought t'day, I reckon!"
"Gee!" exclaimed M'Ginnis, staring after Spike's fleeing figure, already
far away, "he sure was some peevish!"
"Some!" nodded Soapy.
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