'It looks as if you had been amongst the gooseberry-bushes,' said Hilary, examining his arm as he pulled up his sleeve.
'Does it? Well, I only know it's lucky for me there were no poisoned arrows.'
'Oughtn't you to have it burnt, though, Clarence, just in case?' suggested Cecily, in all good faith; 'there's sure to be a red-hot poker in the kitchen.'
But Clarence was very decidedly of opinion that such a precaution was not necessary.
'And you're quite sure the Indians are all gone?' she asked.
'There isn't one of 'em within miles,' he said confidently, 'I'll answer for that.'
'Then come upstairs with me, and we'll let the army out. They'll be in such a temper!'
They found the two boys, who had tired of kicking and shouting by that time, sitting gloomily on the long seats in the dark.
'Guy, dear—Jack,' said Cecily, timidly, 'you can come out now. Clarence has beaten the Indians.'