"`Friends ?'" "But we're not friends; we're--we're--what are we." "Allies," said Ralph quietly.
"Why not that, then?
Yes, of course.

`Allies.' Can't be better." "`Allies,' then," said Ralph.
"Well, what next ?" "To get the stuff together to fight with," replied Ralph.
"What, the men?
Yes, of course.

Then we'd better see to it at once." "Yes, in a very quiet way, so that no one knows," said Ralph.
"And meet at the Steeple Stone about half-an-hour after our people are gone to bed." "And the first who are there to wait for the others." "Oh, of course," cried Mark.

"Fair play; no going first, and doing the work.

That would mean a fresh quarrel." "When I fight, I fight fair," said Ralph proudly.
"I didn't mean to doubt it," said Mark apologetically.