“You can’t,” I cried. “It’s full of foul air.”
“You mind your own business, pauper,” cried Courtenay.
This repetition of the word pauper so enraged me that for the moment I felt tempted to let him go down, but the next moment I shuddered at the thought and cried:
“It is my business. I was to keep everyone from going near.”
“Don’t take any notice of the workus boy, Court. Go on down, if you dare.”
“I dare,” he said, laughing.
“I tell you it isn’t safe,” I cried.
“Do you want a punch on the head?” said Philip menacingly.
“Yes, but you daren’t give it me,” I cried fiercely.
“Never mind him,” said Courtenay. “Look here, I’m only going to the bottom of the ladder. I’m not going to slide down the pipe to the water.”