The child looked up in astonishment, but Louis was so wild with excitement that he could not say any more.
Just at that moment there was an abrupt movement in the wagon, and Ferrers' head was put over the side.
Alfred uttered an exclamation of fear. “Oh, there's Mr. Ferrers!”
“What rubbish have you been talking, you little impostor?” cried Ferrers. “How dare you talk in such a manner? I've a great mind to kick you from Land's End to John o' Groat's house.”
Ferrers begins to be found out.
“Ferrers, you know it's all true,” said Louis.
Ferrers' face was white with passion and anxiety. “Get along with you, Alfred, you'd better not let me hear any more of your lies, I can tell you.”
“If you had not been listening you would not have heard,” replied Alfred, taking care to stand out of Ferrers' reach. “Listeners never hear any good of themselves, Mr. Ferrers: you know it's all true, and if I'd told Edward, you wouldn't have liked it.”
“Alfred dear, don't say so much,” said Louis.