The scent-bottle rolled out upon the grass, and trundled towards the edge.
Lithe as a panther, the young man pounced and snatched it.
As he did so, Kit leapt on his back.
"Give it up or I dirk!" he panted.
For all answer the man fell back on top of him with the merriest laughter.
The boy's breath was shaken out of him. Two hands loosed his; and he was left gasping on his back.
"I say! did I hurt you?" came an anxious voice.
Kit scrambled to his feet.
"Give it up!" he cried passionately, thrusting out a hand. "It was given me. It's a trust."
"It's only eggs," the other reminded him, twinkling.