"Look here, youngster, no splitting, mind you, as to anything here. We're glad to see you, you're welcome to your supper; but you're just to keep things to yourself. Do you understand?"
Gus nodded. "I won't tell nothin' to nobody," he said.
And Lucas was satisfied.
With Lucy's help, Gus soon removed all traces of the fray, whilst Lucas went to fetch some more beer. When her father returned, Lucy, who was very womanly for her age, dished up the supper. It was rabbit, stewed with vegetables; a more appetising meal than Gus often had, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. Lucas talked to him as he ate it, asking many questions, apparently with the view of forming an opinion of the boy's capacity.
When supper was almost over, the son came in. He appeared astonished and not over pleased to see Gus there. He spoke roughly to his sister and surlily to his father, to whom he gave some information in such curious phraseology that it was wholly unintelligible to Gus.
A little later Gus took his departure. Lucas said good-night to him kindly, and invited him to come in and out whenever he liked. It was dull for Lucy, he said, to be so much alone.
When he had gone, the father and son looked at each other significantly.
"A well-plucked young 'un that," said Lucas. "It strikes me, he'll serve our little game."
"Not he," returned his son, with an oath. "He's a jolly sight too green."
"Think so?" said Lucas. "Well, we shall see. I mean to try what I can make of him."