'What are you thinking of, Clarence? We dine at eight, remember; how can I send either of them down then? You really must be reasonable.'
Clarence was by no means an ill-mannered boy in general, but fear made him insolent at this.
'Of course, if you think your dinner is more important than us!' he burst out hotly.
'Clarence, I can't allow you to speak to me in that way. It is ridiculous for you to expect me to alter my arrangements to suit your convenience,' said Mrs. Jolliffe; 'leave the room, or I shall be really angry with you. I don't wish to hear any more—go.'
He went with a swelling heart, and in the garden he met Cecily. If he could only induce her to beg him not to risk his life again! He disclosed the situation as impressively as he could; but, alas! Cecily seemed perfectly tranquil.
'I'm not a bit afraid this time,' she said, 'because you beat them so easily before; there's only one thing, Clarence. You know I daren't lock the army in again—they've made it up; but they were so cross over it! So I want you to promise to look after them.'
'I shall have enough to do to look after myself, I expect,' he answered roughly; 'you don't know what these Indians are.'
'Oh, but I do, Clarence; I saw them at the "Wild West." I thought they looked rather nice then. And you know you frightened them so before. You are so awfully brave—aren't you?'
'I—I don't think I feel quite so awfully brave as I did then,' he admitted.