“But why did you pretend to be asleep?”
“I didn’t, I tell you. I only lay still and watched you fumbling about and taking so long to undress.”
“Oh, did you?” said Arthur haughtily. “Well, now lie still, sir, and go to sleep. You are ill.”
“No, I’m not,” cried Dick cheerily; “only precious hot.”
“Then if you are not ill you ought to be ashamed of yourself,” said Arthur pettishly; “causing papa so much anxiety.”
“Why, I think I behaved well,” said Dick, chuckling to himself. “If I had taken you with me I should have given father twice as much trouble and worry.”
“Taken me! Why, I should not have gone,” said Arthur haughtily; “and if you had not been so fond of getting into low company all this would not have happened.”
“Get out with your low company! There was nothing low about those two fishermen.”
“I only call one of them a boy,” said Arthur, yawning.
“Oh, very well: boy then. But I say, Taff, I wish you had been there.”