“It is of no consequence, Matilda, of no consequence, I assure you,” he said. “I am shaken up a little, but not hurt. I think, perhaps, I need practice at this kind of thing.”
The Professor, while speaking, felt about him in a bewildered way for the pocket in which he was used to keep his handkerchief. But as the armor baffled his efforts to find it, Miss Baffin offered him her kerchief with which to stanch the blood.
“The ancients, Matilda,” said the Professor, as he pressed the handkerchief to his nose, “must have possessed great physical strength, and they could not have been near sighted. By the way, where are my glasses?”
Sir Dinadan handed them to him.
“You will not attempt to get on that horrid horse, again, pa, will you?” said Miss Baffin, entreatingly.
“I think not, my child, unless I am forced to do so. Jousting is interesting to read about; but as a matter of fact it is brutal. I think, Sir Dinadan, I should be more comfortable if I could get this cast-iron overcoat off, so that I could move my elbows without creaking.”
Sir Dinadan helped him to remove his armor, and said:
“My noble mother has insisted that Sir Bleoberis shall not fight with you, and the Baron has yielded to her wish.”
“How can I thank you?” exclaimed Miss Baffin.
Sir Dinadan looked at her as if he would like to tell her how, if he dared venture. But he only said: