his face was sulky yet was no trace of contempt there now.

"I suppose," mused Ravenslee, looking him over with knowledgeful eye,
"yes, I judge, as you are now, you would fight about seven or eight
pounds over your ringside weight. You'd have to give me eighteen pounds!
Spider--I could eat you! Come, shake hands and let's go and fetch
Spike."

Now, speaking, Ravenslee smiled, with eyes as well as lips; beholding
which, the Spider grew slowly upright, his knotted fists unclenched,
and, staring Ravenslee in the eyes, he reached out slowly and by
degrees and grasped the proffered hand.

"Say," said he, falling to violent mastication of his eternal chewing
gum, "who'd you have d'mitts on with last--an' when?"

"Oh, it seems ages ago!" sighed Ravenslee. "But where's Spike?"

"Say, bo, who wants him, an' whaffor? Spike's me pal, see, so I jest
shore wants ter savvy who wants him an' why?"

"His sister--"

"Hully Chee! Why didn't youse say so at first? When Miss Hermione wants
anything she's gotta have it, I guess! Ain't that right, fellers?"

"You bet," chimed the four.

"So if she wants d' Kid, I guess I'll jest have to fetch him for her.
Come on, bo! S'long, fellers!"