"I got to have my turn first, haven't I ?" "Well, yours is over long ago." "It isn't either! I--" "Anyway," said Sam decidedly, clutching him by the right shoulder and endeavouring to reach his left side--"anyway, I'm goin' to have it now." "You said I could have my turn out!" Penrod, carried away by indignation, raised his voice.
"I did not!" Sam, likewise lost to caution, asserted his denial loudly.
"You did, too." "You said--" "I never said anything!" "You said--Quit that!" "Boys!" Mrs.Williams, Sam's mother, opened the door of the room and stood upon the threshold.

The scuffling of Sam and Penrod ceased instantly, and they stood hushed and stricken, while fear fell upon them.

"Boys, you weren't quarrelling, were you ?" "Ma'am ?" said Sam.
"Were you quarrelling with Penrod ?" "No, ma'am," answered Sam in a small voice.
"It sounded like it.

What was the matter ?" Both boys returned her curious glance with meekness.

They were summoning their faculties--which were needed.