But Buster was not going to turn tail and run away in the middle of a fight. He enjoyed a fight, and he hardly ever got one. He didn’t mind about the other dog being bigger than he was - he could bite as hard as he did!
The front door opened and someone came out. It was a pleasant, plump, middle-aged lady, looking very worried. She ran up the path.
“Oh dear! is Thomas attacking your dog?” she said. “Thomas, stop it!”
But neither Thomas nor Buster took the slightest notice. This was their own enjoyable, private fight, and they were going on with it.
Bets cried bitterly. She was very upset at the noise and scuffling, and terribly afraid that Buster might be killed. The plump lady was distressed to hear Bets’ sobs.
“Half a minute, dear - I know how to stop them!” she said to Bets. “Don’t cry any more!”
She rushed indoors and came out again with a large pail of water. She threw it over both the snarling dogs.
They had such a shock as the icy water drenched them that they both leapt back from one another in horror. Miss Crump at once caught hold of Thomas, and Fatty made a grab for Buster.
“You bad dog, Thomas!” scolded the plump lady. “You shall be locked in your kennel yard all day.”
She turned to the children. “Just wait whilst I put him into his kennel,” she said, “then I’ll be back.”