"I hope it will be only for once in a way," Tom said, with a menacing gesture at Tim, who, at some dozen yards distance, had paused and was looking back at him. "Yes, that's right, Peter, put Bounce on the leash again. You aren't hurt, are you?"
"Oh, no!" Peter answered. "It was nothing of a fall, really."
"Thank goodness the cow didn't touch you!" cried Tom, fervently. "It was a near shave she didn't though."
"A very near shave," agreed the gipsy, seriously.
"Please tell me exactly what happened," said Peter, turning his sightless eyes upon Moses.
The man explained, again praising Tom for his quick-wittedness, by which he had been greatly struck.
When he had finished his tale Peter exclaimed, "Oh, Tom, how can I thank you? Really, then, you saved me from being gored by the cow! Oh, how brave you are!"
"Oh, nonsense, nonsense!" said Tom, hastily. "Why, Peter, what's the matter. Don't look so shocked. It's all over—the danger, I mean. Why, you're shaking like a leaf. Don't be so silly. We'd better go on. Where's my coat?"
"Here, sir," replied the gipsy, picking it up from the ground; "but I don't think you can wear it—it's torn right through the back where the cow's horn went through it."
"Never mind. I'll carry it, if I can't wear it. Fortunately, it's an old one, so if it can't be mended there's not much harm done. Where's that wicked Tim? Oh, gone on to your caravan, I see, and Zingra's got hold of him! Are you going to stop at Hatwell Green?"