“Daren’t!” cried Courtenay. “Why, I went down last time hanging to a rope when it was cleaned out, and there was no water at the bottom.”
“But there is water now—twenty or thirty feet, and you daren’t go down.”
“Yes I dare.”
“Bet you sixpence you daren’t.”
“Done!” cried Courtenay. “Mind I shall make you pay.”
“You daren’t go.”
“All right; you’ll see!” cried Courtenay; and to my horror he went close to the mouth and looked down.
“You can’t go down,” I said; “the well isn’t safe.”
“Who spoke to you, pauper?” cried Philip sharply. And then with a sniggering laugh, “It ain’t safe, Courtenay. You can’t go down, and you’ll have to pay me all the same.”
“I’m going down,” said Courtenay.