"It's high treason," shouted Eustace. "England is our country. Off with his head."
Then suddenly Miss Chase saw what her nephews and nieces really were like.
"He has got to be punished," Nesta sang out.
Peter and Becky made a simultaneous dive at the unfortunate Bob, who had begun whistling with a great show of unconcern.
"What's his punishment to be?" demanded Eustace.
Mrs. Orban thought a minute while Peter suggested pommelling, and Nesta mentioned a few tortures in the way of old-fashioned forfeits.
"It's too hot for violent exercise," said Bob, when Nesta requested him to walk round the room three times on his head. "I shall go home to mother if I am ill-used."
"Have some tea, Bob," said Mr. Orban.
"No, no," cried the bullying trio, "not till he has paid his penalty for high treason."
"Well," said Mrs. Orban gently, "suppose you fetch the banjo and make him sing for his tea."