Page:Castlemon--Joe Wayring at Home.djvu/156

 to carry out our own programme, leaving Prime's clique and Joe's to carry out theirs, if they are able to do it. If we find that we stand no show, I would much rather see Joe and his friends win than Prime and his friends."

"So would I," said Ralph. "Now I should like to have some one tell me what excuse we have for being down on those boys. We got mad at them simply because they would not break their rules and take us into their archery club."

"And wasn't that reason enough?" cried Tom, hotly. "I wasn't used to such treatment while I lived in the city, and I won't submit to it now. I don't think any more of Hastings than I did on the day he so coolly told me that he would not help me get into their club. I don't care whether he wins or not. What I mean to say is, that Prime and the rest shall not carry off any of the prizes if I can help it. I intend to show them that the next time they want any help from me, they had better let me have a voice in making up the programme; and I shall do it in such a way that they can not possibly misunderstand