"Well, sir, beg pardon, sir, that young cub come up to the side abusing
Master Dexter, and calling him names, and he let us have it too."
"Yes; go on."
"Well, sir, Master Dexter was a-chafing like a greyhound again his
collar, and Peter and me fetched the old wooden cistern, and let him
punt hisself across, and the way he went into him, sir--boy half as big
again as hisself, and--"
"That will do," said the doctor sternly. "Here, Dexter! Come here,
sir!"
Dexter turned in dismay, and came faltering back.
"The moment he is home again!" said the doctor angrily.
"Yah! Coward! G'ome, g'ome!" yelled Bob, jumping up on seeing his
enemy in retreat. "Come here again and I'll knock yer silly. Yah!"
"Dexter!" roared the doctor; "go back and knock that young blackguard's
head off. Quick! Give it him! No mercy!"
Dexter flew back, but Bob flew faster to the hedge, where he leaped and
stuck; Dexter overtaking him then, and administering one punch which
drove his adversary through, and he got up and ran on again.
"Hi! Dexter!" shouted the doctor; and the boy returned slowly, as Peter
stood screwing up his face to look serious, and Dan'l gave his master
one of his cast-iron smiles.
"Well, yes, Dan'l, it was excusable under the circumstances," said the
doctor. "But I do not approve of fighting, and--er--don't say anything
about it indoors."
"No, sir, cert'nly not, sir," said the men, in a breath; and just then
Dexter stood on the far bank looking anxiously across.
"Mind how you come," cried the doctor. "That's right; be careful. Give
me your hand. Bless my soul! the skin's off your knuckles. We shall
have to tell Miss Grayson after all."
Dexter looked up at him wildly. He could not speak.
"Better put that cistern back," said the doctor quickly; and then to
Dexter--
"There, slip on your things, and go up to your room and bathe your face
and hands. No, stop! I'll go on first, and shut the drawing-room
door."
The doctor hurried away, and as soon as he was out of sight, Dexter, who
had slowly put on his waistcoat and jacket, gazed disconsolately at the
two men.
"What shall I do?" he said dolefully.
"Do!" cried Peter; "why, you did it splendid: he won't come no more."
"But the doctor!" faltered Dexter, with the spirit and effervescence all
gone.
"What, master!" cried Dan'l. "He won't say no more. Here, shake hands,
my lad. It was fine."
"Hi! Dexter! Here, my boy, quick!" came the doctor's voice. "It's all
right. She has gone out."
"There!" said Dan'l, laughing; and Dexter ran in.