Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/274

252 "Of course, we were wrestling—quite a friendly affair," came from the bully. And he looked suggestively at the country boy.

The assistant teacher continued to look at Dave, and caught him by the arm.

"Then it was a strictly friendly affair, eh?" he went on, searchingly. "I did not know that you and Master Plum were such great friends."

"We are not friends, Mr. Haskers. I don't want the friendship of such a fellow as Plum. I came here on business, and—well, I don't care to say anything more. But we are not friends, and I don't want anybody to think so."

As these words issued from Dave's lips Gus Plum glared at him, in anger. Macklin was also disturbed.

"Then it was a fight, eh?"

Dave continued to remain silent.

"If you must know the truth, Mr. Haskers, I'll tell you," cried Gus Plum. "Porter came in here and accused Macklin and myself of something we didn't do. He called Macklin a thief, and a lot more, and flocked it into me, too. I stood as much as I could, and then talked back. Then he pitched into me; didn't he, Chip?"

"He certainly did," answered Chip, catching the cue. "It was all Porter's fault, if you must know."

"Mr. Haskers——" commenced Dave, and