Then holding his head up bravely, Roy marched out of the kitchen, and Dudley followed him with some misgivings as to his exit again by the pantry window. But Roy solved this difficulty.
"Look here, the key is in the back door; we will unlock it and get out properly. I'm sorry we've smashed those plates."
They walked home in the deepest dejection; as they went through the village there met them on the bridge the same man that had passed them when on the garden wall. He was much the worse for drink, and seemed inclined to be quarrelsome.
"Look 'ee here now, I'll just trouble 'ee to give me another sixpence, young gent, or I'll help myself, and no nonsense, for I'm the feller for fightin'!"
He stood barring their way, lurching from side to side, and brandishing a stick in his hand.
Neither of the boys were daunted. Dudley shouted out,
"Let us by at once, or we'll make you! You'd better look out how you cheek us!"
And Roy in a moment had his jacket off, and was rolling up his shirt sleeves.
"Come on, Dudley, we'll lick him into shape, if he dares to touch us!"
What might have befallen our two little heroes cannot be told, for at this critical juncture the rector came up, and in stern, commanding tones ordered the man on.