The little fellow hesitated.
"I hope, sir, that this contains a perfectly satisfactory apology?" he said, turning it around in his fingers.
"Oh, perfectly! amply! We shall hear no more of the challenge."
"I am very glad, sir," said the little lieutenant, rising.
"Won't you have something before you go?"
The lieutenant hesitated.
"Shall I ring for the maid to bring you a slice of bread and butter and a cup of milk?"
"No, thank you, sir!" said Springald, with a look of offended dignity.
"Very well, then; you must give my respects to your papa and mamma, and ask them to let you come and play with little Bobby and Tommy Middleton! They are nice little boys!" said the judge, so very kindly that the little lieutenant, though hugely affronted, scarcely knew in what manner to resent the affront.
"Good-day, sir!" he said, with a vast assumption of dignity, as he strutted towards the door.