Yet the boys paid no heed, but would have passed in silence, had not Don
added, insultingly:

"The three little muckers!"

That was too much for Eph. He couldn't help turning, the flush mounting
to his cheeks, to retort:

"Speak for yourself!"

Don took a step forward. Eph, unable to ignore the implied challenge,
wheeled about.

"Don't bother with the fellow, Eph," muttered Jack, gripping his bellicose
chum by the arm.

"'Fellow'?" cried Don, hotly. "Do you mean that for me?"

"Well," demanded Jack, dryly, "you're not a girl, are you?"

At that Don Melville lost his temper hopelessly. Burning at a white
heat, he hissed:

"I'll show you whether I am, or not, you cur!"

That word "cur" went far toward shattering Jack Benson's good resolutions.
Letting go of Eph's arm he turned to glare at his tormentor.

"You need a lesson, mucker," added Don, hotly.