The effect of music, too, upon children is incalculable, especially when they do not hear it often--and both a snare-drum and a bass drum were in the expensive orchestra at the Rennsdale party.
Nevertheless, the outlawry at any party may remain incipient unless a chieftain appears; but in Penrod's corner were now gathering into one anarchical mood all the necessary qualifications for leadership.

Out of that bitter corner there stepped, not a Penrod Schofield subdued and hoping to win the lost favour of the Authorities, but a hot-hearted rebel determined on an uprising.
Smiling a reckless and challenging smile, he returned to the cluster of boys in the wide doorway and began to push one and another of them about.

They responded hopefully with counter-pushes, and presently there was a tumultuous surging and eddying in that quarter, accompanied by noises that began to compete with the music.

Then Penrod allowed himself to be shoved out among the circling dancers, so that he collided with Marjorie and Maurice Levy, almost oversetting them.
He made a mock bow and a mock apology, being inspired to invent a jargon phrase.
"Excuse me," he said, at the same time making vocal his own conception of a taunting laugh.

"Excuse me, but I must 'a' got your bumpus!" Marjorie looked grieved and turned away with Maurice; but the boys in the doorway squealed with maniac laughter.
"Gotcher bumpus! Gotcher bumpus!" they shrilled.