"I think your mother's a bully good woman.

She was awfully good to my mother last winter, I know." The spring went out of Larry's body.

He backed away from Mop and the boys.
"Who said your mother was a coward ?" inquired Mop indignantly.

"If anybody says so, you bring him to me, and I'll punch his head good, I will." Larry looked foolishly at Ben, who looked foolishly back at him.
"Say, Mop," said Larry, a smile like a warm light passing over his face, "come on up and see my new rabbits.".