mins. There
are always men enough in the world who are ready and willing to
quarrel on any provocation; and it is always best not to provoke them,
even if they are overbearing and insolent, as Mr. Timmins certainly
was.

"Hold on a minute before you do it," said Bobby, with the same
provoking coolness. "I want to buy this book, and I am willing to pay
a fair price for it. But I happen to know that you can buy them up in
Riverdale, where I came from, for six cents."

"No matter," exclaimed the indignant clerk, seizing Bobby by the coat
collar for the purpose of ejecting him; "you shall find your way into
the street."

Now Bobby, as I have before intimated, was an embryo American citizen,
and the act of Mr. Timmins seemed like an invasion of his inalienable
rights. No time was given him to make a formal declaration of rights
in the premises; so the instinct of self-preservation was allowed to
have free course.

Mr. Timmins pulled and tugged at his coat collar, and Bobby hung back
like a mule; and for an instant there was quite a spirited scene.

"Hallo! Timmins, what does this mean?" said a voice, at which the
valiant little clerk instantly let go his hold.

CHAPTER VIII

IN WHICH MR. TIMMINS IS ASTONISHED, AND BOBBY DINES IN CHESTNUT STREET

It was Mr. Bayard. He had finished his business with the gentleman by
his side, and hearing the noise of the scuffle, had come to learn the
occasion of it.

"This impudent young puppy wouldn't let the books alone!" began
Mr. Timmins. "I threatened to turn him out if he didn't; and I meant
to make good my threat. I think he meant to steal something."

Bobby was astonished and shocked at this bold imputation; but he
wished to have his case judged on its own merits; so he turned his
face away, that Mr. Bayard might not recognize him.

"I wanted to buy one of these blank books," added Bobby, picking up
the one he had dropped on the floor in the struggle.

"All stuff!" ejaculated Timmins. "He is an impudent, obstinate puppy!
In my opinion he meant to steal that book."

"I asked him the price, and told him I wanted to buy it," added Bobby,
still averting his face.

"Well, I told him; and he said it was too high."

"He asked me twenty-five cents for it."

"Is this true, Timmins?" asked Mr. Bayard, sternly.

"No, _sir_! I told him fourpence," replied Timmins, boldly.

"By gracious! What a whopper!" exclaimed Bobby, startled out of his
propriety by this monstro