"What's he doin'?"

"What does he want?"

"Put him out! Put him out!"

These shouts and others mingled with oaths as all crowded about thetwo boys.

"There's no row, an' nothin' to get mad about," said Theo, trying tospeak quietly. "Dick's mother's frettin', an' I asked him to go homewith me. That's all there is about it."

"An' enough it is too," exclaimed one of the kids. "Dick's huge enoughto know when to go home, ain't he?"

"What's he got to do with me or my mother?" growled Dick, "I'll gohome when I get good an' ready, an' not before."

"An' it's time for _you_ to go home now!" exclaimed theproprietor of the place, elbowing his way to the front of the group,and addressing Theo. "We don't want none o' your sort around here. Nowclear out--d'ye hear?"

Seeing that it was useless to stay longer, Theo departed, followed bytaunting cries and yells, from all in the room.