Larry looked at Joe, the little smile still on his face. "I don't want
to fight Joe. What would I fight Joe for?" he said.

"I told you so," cried Mop, dancing about. "He ain't got no fight in
him.


Take a dare,
Take a dare,
Chase a cat,
And hunt a hare."


Ben looked critically at Larry as if appraising the quality of his soul.
"Joe can't lick you with one hand tied behind his back, can he, Larry?"

"I don't want to fight Joe," persisted Larry still smiling.

"Ya, ya," persisted Mop. "Here, Joe, you knock this chip off Larry's
shoulder." Mop placed the gauge of battle on Larry's shoulder. "Go
ahead, Joe."

To Joe a fight with a friend or a foe was an event of common occurrence.
With even a more dangerous opponent than Larry he would not have
hesitated. For to decline a fight was with Joe utterly despicable. So
placing himself in readiness for the blow that should have been the
inevitable consequence, he knocked the chip off Larry's shoulder. Still
Larry smiled at him.