"Now I'm in for it," said the boy. "I suppose he'll be angry now because I was talking to you."
Uncle Dock was indeed angry. As he came up to the group he was muttering beneath his breath.
"Get back up to the mill, you young rascal!" he ordered, giving Lester a cuff on the side of the head. "How often have I told you not to be talking to strangers. You talk too much altogether. Get back up to the mill and stay there."
"We were just chatting—" began the boy, but Uncle Dock silenced him with a blow.
With an appealing glance at the Hardy boys, Lester began to make his way back up the slope toward the mill. Uncle Dock turned toward Joe and Frank, surveying them resentfully.
"What are you doing, loafing around here?" he demanded.
"We're not loafing. We have been fishing in the river," said Frank. "Not that it's any of your business, so far as I can see."
"I'll make it my business," thundered Uncle Dock. "You two fellows had better stay away from here after this. We don't want you hanging around here."
"The river is free," Joe reminded him.
"Keep away from around this mill or I'll make it hot for you. What was that rascal of a boy telling you?"