He glanced at Tom's drawing with some contempt, then inquired: "Drawing, boy ?" "Why, not ?" laughed Tom.

"I'm only one of the stable boys, and, as you can see, I'm currying a horse." "Stop that sort of nonsense with me, right at the start," flashed Black angrily, striding closer.

"I don't allow boys to be fresh with me." "Where's the boy ?" drawled Tom, turning slightly, for a better view \ of the stranger's face.
"You're one," snapped Black.
"What are you ?" Tom asked curiously.
"I'm an engineer." "If that is anything to be chesty about, then I'm an engineer also," Reade replied, rising.
"Sit down, boy!" commanded Black angrily.
The trace of frown on Reade's face disappeared.

He smiled good-humoredly as he observed.
"Black, I'm a bit uncertain about you." "_Mister_ Black, boy!" warned the other, his dark eyes snapping.
"Why are you uncertain about me ?" "I'm wondering," purred Tom gently, "whether you are just _trying_ to be offensive, or whether you don't know any better than to talk and act the way you do ?" "You young puppy, I'll teach you something right now," cried Black, stepping closer and raising a clenched fist.
"Look out," begged Tom.

"You'll upset my drawing table." Eugene Black closed in, striking out.