“Yes, Mr Luke Vine—I should like to give him one with it,” thought Crampton.
“Do for a constable’s staff, or to kill burglars, eh?”
“Capitally, sir.”
“Hah! You don’t get burglars here, though, do you?”
“No, sir; never had any yet.”
“Good job, too,” said Uncle Luke, putting the ruler back in its place, greatly to Crampton’s relief. “Rather an awkward cub to lick into shape, my nephew, eh?”
“Rather, sir.”
“Well, you must lick away, Crampton, not with that ruler though,” he chuckled. “Time something was made of him—not a bad sort of boy; but spoiled.”
“I shall do my best, Mr Luke Vine,” said Crampton dryly; “but I must tell you candidly, sir, he’s too much of the gentleman for us, and he feels it.”
“Bah!”