“But you would not,” said Uncle Bob.
“No, I don’t think I should, if it were my case. I should commence an action for damages if I could find an enemy who had any money, but it is of no use fighting men of straw.”
Mr Tomplin soon after went away, and I looked at my uncles, wondering what they would say. But as they did not speak I broke out with:
“Why, he seemed to think nothing of it.”
“Custom of the country,” said Uncle Bob, laughing. “Come, Dick, it’s our turn now.”
“Right!” said Uncle Dick; but Uncle Jack laid hold of his shoulder.
“Look here,” he said. “I don’t like the idea of you two going down there.”
“No worse for us than for you,” said Uncle Bob.
“Perhaps not, but the risk seems too great.”
“Never mind,” said Uncle Dick. “I’m not going to be beaten. It’s war to the knife, and I’m not going to give up.”