“Never mind: you acted bravely; and he like a roused wolf’s cub, as Nick Garth called him.”
“Felt humbled,” said Ralph thoughtfully.
“Yes, my boy. Well, it’s all over; but don’t go risking your life again for your enemies. We don’t want to quarrel with them unless they force it on, and I’m afraid they are going to, for I believe Eden has enlisted that gang of ruffians in his service. I can’t hear that they were seen to go away.”
Mark Eden told his father too, about the incident, and Sir Edward looked very grave.
“As the lad was a Darley, matters are different,” he said at last, “and I don’t like your conduct over the matter, Mark. To begin with—well, to go all through the business, you did wrong.”
“Yes, father,” said the lad bitterly.
“It was not right for you, a young scholar, and a gentleman, to go upon their land and invite a quarrel.”
“But I wanted the young ravens, father.”
“Yes. And they want my lead-mine; and if young Darley comes to try and take it, I hope you’ll break his neck.”
“Yes, father.”