"It was my horn, too, and I didn't tell any such a thing!" He paused; then, reverting to his former manner, said stubbornly, "I got to have that horn back.

I GOT to!" "Why'n't you tell us what FOR, then ?" Sam insisted.
Roddy's glance at this persecutor was one of anguish.
"I know my own biz'nuss!" he muttered.
And while Sam jeered, Roddy turned to Penrod desperately.
"You gimme that horn back! I got to have it." But Penrod followed Sam's lead.
"Well, why can't you tell us what FOR ?" he asked.
Perhaps if Sam had not been there, Roddy could have unbosomed himself.
He had no doubt of his own virtue in this affair, and he was conscious that he had acted in good faith throughout--though, perhaps, a little impulsively.

But he was in a predicament, and he knew that if he became more explicit, Sam could establish with undeniable logic those rights about which he had been so odious the day before.

Such triumph for Sam was not within Roddy's power to contemplate; he felt that he would rather die, or sumpthing.
"I got to have that horn!" he reiterated woodenly.
Penrod had no intention to humour this preposterous boy, and it was only out of curiosity that he asked, "Well, if you want the horn back, where's the two dollars ?" "I spent it.

I bought an air-gun for a dollar and sixty-five cents, and three sodies and some candy with the rest.