“I wouldn’t mind,” said Philip; “I shouldn’t run faster than you did.”
“Ah! never mind,” said Harry; “you run fast enough this time. I only wish,” he continued sulkily, “that I had let you go.”
Now, Philip was generally most terribly teased by his brother, and therefore it was not surprising that he, who was generally such a mild and inoffensive lad, should take this opportunity of making a little retaliation. But one thing was very certain, and that was, that he would have backed out of the task even if Harry had given it up to him.
“Can’t we fetch the bellows?” said Harry. “Let’s go and see.”
Off they went again, but at a slower pace this time, in case there should be any of the fierce little insects waiting for them. But their caution was needless, for the wasps were busy at work trying to stick their stings into the bellows, and some of them losing their lives through the vapour that came reeking out of the opening. But when the lads got near enough to see what a cloud there was buzzing about, they gave up all idea of getting the bellows till night, and took vengeance for their defeat by getting a little farther off and pelting the tree, but only hitting it about once in twenty times, so that they very soon tired of that pastime, and went back to see what poor old Sam could find for them fresh.
“Now, then,” said Sam, when they came up, “where’s the wopses’ nest? The Squire wants some grabs for fishing.”
“Ain’t got it,” said Harry, shortly.
“How’s that?” said the old man; “you weren’t afeard, was you?”
“No,” said Harry, stoutly; “I wasn’t afraid, only they came buzzing out so we were obliged to give in.”
Chuckle, chuckle, went the old man at their defeat; but he would not go himself to fetch the bellows, although he laughed at the boys’ expense.