"Day-b'fore-yesterday," he finally replied, with boldness, "you would 'a' bet you'd lick the hull kit-an'-boodle all by yourself." His friend looked a trifle amazed.

"Would I ?" he asked.

He pondered.
"Well, perhaps I would," he decided at last.

He stared humbly at the fire.
The youth was quite disconcerted at this surprising reception of his remarks.

"Oh, no, you wouldn't either," he said, hastily trying to retrace.
But the other made a deprecating gesture.