he floor, he managed
to touch Bonnyboy's nose with the toe of his boot, which feat again was
rewarded with a burst of laughter. The poor lad quietly blew his nose,
wiped the perspiration off his brow with a red handkerchief, and said,
"Don't make me mad, Ola, or I might hurt you."

This speech struck the company as being immensely funny, and they
laughed till the tears ran down their cheeks. At this moment Grim
entered, and perceived at once that Ola Klemmerud was amusing the
company at his son's expense. He grew hot about his ears, clinched his
teeth, and stared challengingly at the bully. The latter began to feel
uncomfortable, but he could not stop at this point without turning the
laugh against himself, and that he had not the courage to do. So in
order to avoid rousing the father's wrath, and yet preserving his own
dignity, he went over to Bonnyboy, rumpled his hair with both his hands,
and tweaked his nose. This appeared such innocent sport, according to
his notion, that no rational creature could take offence at it. But
Grim, whose sense of humor was probably defective, failed to see it in
that light.

"Let the boy alone," he thundered.

"Well, don't bite my head off, old man," replied Ola. "I haven't hurt
your fool of a boy. I have only been joking with him."

"I don't think you are troubled with overmuch wit yourself, judging by
the style of your jokes," was Grim's cool retort.

The company, who plainly saw that Ola was trying to wriggle out of his
difficulty, but were anxious not to lose an exciting scene, screamed
with laughter again; but this time at the bully's expense. The blood
mounted to his head, and his anger got the better of his natural
cowardice. Instead of sneaking off, as he had intended, he wheeled about
on his heel and stood for a moment irresolute, clinching his fist in his
pocket.

"Why don't you take your lunkhead of a son home to his mother, if he
isn't bright enough to understand fun!" he shouted.

"Now let me see if you are bright enough to understand the same kind of
fun," cried Grim. Whereupon he knocked off Ola's cap, rumpled his hair,
and gave his nose such a pull that it was a wonder it did not come off.

The bully, taken by surprise, tumbled a step backward, but recovering
himself, struck Grim in the face with his clinched fist. At this
moment. Bonnyboy, who had scarcely taken in the situation; jumped up and
screamed, "Sit down, Ola Klemmerud, sit down!"

The effect of thi