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..