“Yes—I did. I said you might have some fruit.”
“Apples is fruit,” said Dexter.
“Are fruit—are fruit, sir,” cried the doctor, in an exasperated tone.
“Apples are fruit,” said Dexter.
“But I did not tell you to pick my choice pippins and throw them across the river to every blackguard boy you see.”
“But he hasn’t got a beautiful garden like we have,” protested Dexter.
“What has that got to do with it, sir?” cried the doctor angrily. “I don’t grow fruit and keep gardeners on purpose to supply the wants of all the little rascals in the place.”
“He asked me to get him some apples, sir.”
“Asked you to get him some, indeed! Look here, sir; I’ve tried very hard to make you a decent boy by kindness, but it does no good. You were told not to associate with that boy any more.”
“Please, sir, I didn’t,” cried Dexter. “I didn’t, indeed, sir.”