"And, by crickets, if you were here, Dick, I'd certainly try it." "Try it anyway, then," urged Prescott.
"Not unless you balk at it," returned Darrin.
"I'm not going to balk at it," retorted Dick, flushing just a bit.

"But you spoke of it first, Dave, and I think you ought to have first chance at the reward." "Tell you what I'll do," proposed Darrin, seriously.

"We'll toss for it, and the winner has the try." "I'll go you," nodded Prescott.
Herr Schimmelpodt, regarding them both seriously, saw that they meant it.
"Boys, boys!" he remonstrated.

"Don't think of it yet!" "Why not ?" asked Dick.
"You would be killed," remonstrated the big German.
"Is that the best opinion you have of us, after the way you've been praising us athletes for two years ?" laughed Prescott.
"I'll toss you for it, Dick," nudged Dave.
"What's this ?" demanded Mr.Macey.
"Prescott and I are going to toss for it, to see who shall have the first chance to climb the spire and flagstaff," replied Dave.
"Nonsense! Out of the question," almost exploded Mr.Macey.
"It would be like murder to allow either of you to try.

That's work for a regular steeplejack." "Well, what is a steeplejack ?" demanded Dick.