"Your manners," Tom replied, quietly, his face one broad smile of amusement.
The man rapped out an angry word; then, suddenly catching sight of the dwarf's crouching figure, his face turned purple with passion. "What are you doing there, you rat?" he demanded, in a hoarse whisper, addressing Tiny Jim. "Come out this minute! Do you hear? Come out!" He knelt down as he spoke, and, catching the dwarf by the collar, pulled him with a jerk from beneath the van; then, rising, shook him roughly, till the poor little man's teeth actually chattered in his head.
"Oh, Mr. Dumbell, don't, sir, don't!" cried Tiny Jim. "I was doing no harm; and, indeed, I don't think any one saw me!"
"That boy did!" declared Mr. Dumbell, pointing at Tom. "It's no good his denying it, for I shouldn't believe him!"
"I've no intention of denying it!" Tom replied, indignantly. "Do you think I would tell you a falsehood? I did see him."
"And of course others have," said Mr. Dumbell, "which means he's lost me several shillings maybe this morning. Folk won't want to pay to see him at the Fair if they've seen him beforehand, not they! Get along home with you!" He dropped his hold of the dwarf, who, pale and trembling, slunk away.
"I hope he doesn't think I pointed him out to you," Tom said, addressing Mr. Dumbell. "Why were you so rough? It was cruel to shake him as you did, poor little fellow!"
"I lost my temper," admitted Mr. Dumbell. "Poor little fellow, indeed! He's the most interfering, aggravating dwarf I ever had to do with!"
He took up his former position against the van as he spoke, and there Tom left him. The boy, after a few minutes' consideration, returned to the green caravan, upon the closed door of which he rapped sharply.
"Well?" said the dwarf's voice within.