`` I wo n't laugh if I can help it ; only you do look so like a fat , speckled frog , I may not be able to hold in . I 'll pull you out pretty soon ; but first I 'm going to talk to you , Sam , '' said Ben , sobering down as he took a seat on the little point of land nearest the stranded Samuel . `` Hurry up , then ; I 'm as stiff as a board now , and it 's no fun sitting here on this knotty old thing , '' growled Sam , with a discontented squirm . `` Dare say not , but ` it is good for you , ' as you say when you rap me over the head . Look here , I 've got you in a tight place , and I do n't mean to help you a bit till you promise to let me alone . Now then ! '' and Ben 's face grew stern with his remembered wrongs as he grimly eyed his discomfited foe . `` I 'll promise fast enough if you wo n't tell anyone about this , '' answered Sam , surveying himself and his surroundings with great disgust . `` I shall do as I like about that . '' `` Then I wo n't promise a thing ! I 'm not going to have the whole school laughing at me , '' protested Sam , who hated to be ridiculed even more than Ben did . `` Very well ; good-night ! '' and Ben walked off with his hands in his pockets as coolly as if the bog was Sam 's favorite retreat . `` Hold on , do n't be in such a hurry ! '' shouted Sam , seeing little hope of rescue if he let this chance go . `` All right ! '' and back came Ben , ready for further negotiations . `` I 'll promise not to plague you , if you 'll promise not to tell on me . Is that what you want ? '' `` Now I come to think of it , there is one thing more .
I like to make a good bargain when I begin , '' said XXXXX , with a shrewd air .
Ben Sam Samuel anyone first good-night negotiations right squirm wrongs