Bunny straightened himself to meet it. "I suppose you'll thrash me," he said. "Well,--you must, that's all."
A faint gleam crossed Jake's face. It was hardly a smile, and was gone on the instant. "No, I shan't thrash you," he said. "Now, will you go?"
And Bunny capitulated, struck his colours unconditionally, flung his arms round his brother-in-law's shoulders. "All right, Jake. I'll go, old man. I'll go. Don't look so confoundedly grim!"
Jake held him back with one hand on his rough dark head. "Be off with you, boy! I'll see you later--maybe when you're in bed. Go now!"
He smiled upon Bunny, for there were tears in the boy's eyes, patted him on the back, and turned to go as he had entered.
Ten seconds later Bunny was beating a rousing tattoo on his sister's door. "Say, Maud, let me in--quick--quick!"
He wriggled at the handle, for the door was locked, and, meeting with no response, beat again.
"Maud, I say, let me in! I've come to say I'm sorry. Don't be waxy, old girl! Open the door!"
There came a lagging footstep. The key turned, Bunny burst into the room headlong.
"You're not crying, are you? I knew you weren't. There! It's all right, isn't it? What makes you so touchy, nowadays? You never used to be."