"And he lies when he says he didn't do this." Ripley swung, so as to display the tail of a short topcoat that was one of his treasures.

The garment was fashionably made and of the best material, for Ripley's father was a wealthy lawyer in Gridley, and the young Ripley hopeful had all the most costly things a boy can prize.
Along the tail of the coat some miscreant had daubed a streak of fresh white paint.

Ripley had found it there when donning the coat to leave school at one o'clock that day.

Fred knew that Dick had been in the coat room after recess, and, as he disliked the freshman, Ripley had accused Dick of the deed.
Having fired his parting shot, Fred turned on his heel, sauntering over to where the fluttering group of girls waited.

One of them, Clara Deane, stepped forward to meet him.
"Fred, why do you have anything to do with such a low-down fellow as Prescott ?" asked Clara, contemptuously.
"He's the sneak of the school," uttered Fred, harshly; "but I can't let even a sneak streak my coat with paint." "And he never did such a thing, either!" broke in Laura Bentley, disdainfully.