He went on more cheerfully, telling himself unchivalrously that he had got Mary V's goat, all right.

He began to whistle under his breath, until he discovered that he was whistling "Auld Lang Syne," and was mentally fitting to the tune the words: "_Before I die, I'll ride the sky.

I'll part the clouds like foam!_" He stopped whistling then, but the words went on repeating themselves over and over in his mind.

"And by gosh, I will too," he stated defiantly.

"I'll show 'em, the darned mutts! They can yawp and chortle and call me Skyrider as if it was a joke.