had to wait for you to think of something as good as that, Sam."

"Why would it?" Sam asked. "Why would it of been such a long
while?"

"Oh," Penrod responded airily, "just for the main and simple
reason!"

Sam could bear it no longer. "Oh, hush up!" he shouted.

Penrod was stung. "Do you mean ME?" he demanded.

"Yes, I do!" the goaded Sam replied.

"Did you tell ME to hush up?"

"Yes, I did!"

"I guess you don't know who you're talkin' to," Penrod said
ominously. "I guess I just better show you who you're talkin' to
like that. I guess you need a little sumpthing, for the main and
simple--"

Sam uttered an uncontrollable howl and sprang upon Penrod,
catching him round the waist. Simultaneously with this impact,
the wooden swords spun through the air and were presently trodden
underfoot as the two boys wrestled to and fro.

Penrod was not altogether surprised by the onset of his friend.
He had been aware of Sam's increasing irritation (though neither