Or don't, if you dare!" "That infernal blackmailer, Tip Scammon!" flared Fred indignantly.
In the courage of desperation Fred promptly decided that he would ignore the Scammon rascal.

Nor did Fred change his mind.

Besides, this afternoon he was due at Duxbridge for his first lesson under the mighty Everett.
So Tip was on hand at the drug store beside the post office, but no Fred came.

Tip scowled and hung about in the neighborhood until after four o'clock.

Then he went away, a black look indeed on his not handsome face.
Meanwhile, most of the people of Gridley, as elsewhere in the Christian world, were thinking of "Peace on Earth" and all that goes with it.