"My father is just as honest as anybody, and I won't have you or anybody else running him down!" And then Reff Ritter appeared, minus his coat, vest and collar, and his face distorted with rage.
"I didn't say your father was dishonest, Reff," returned Jack, as calmly as he could.

"I was simply going to state----" "Oh, you needn't try to smooth it over, Jack Ruddy," fumed the bully.
"Don't imagine that I don't know all about the mean stories you and others are circulating about my family.

You'd like to make out that my father is the worst swindler that ever lived, and I won't stand for it." "Reff, that isn't true," interrupted Pepper.

"Jack hasn't said a word against your father." "Oh, you can't bluff me, Pep Ditmore.

I know better." "What Pepper says is true--I haven't said a word, Reff, truly I haven't.
I heard that you had lost some of your money, and I said I was sorry to hear it--and I am sorry.