Olly was playing cat's-cradle with the good-natured Mr.Upjohn, and merely kicked out at his caresser, as a warning that he was not to be interrupted.
"Fine spirited boy," muttered Mr.Upjohn under his breath.

"Very fine.
Will make a man some day." "Not so big as you, though, I won't be when I'm a man," declared Olly.
"You're too fat." "Now just hear him!" exclaimed Mr.Upjohn, shaking all over with corpulent mirth.

"Maybe you would rather be like Mr.Webb then ?" "No, I wouldn't neither," retorted Olly, nothing deterred by that gentleman's presence from a frank exposure of his sentiments.

"He's too lean.

He's leaner than any thing.