“But there’s no one to fight with here?”
“Yes—Pete Warboys.”
“Bless my heart!” exclaimed the Vicar, laying his hand upon the boy’s shoulder. “But tell me, did he assault you?”
“I suppose so, sir.”
“But—er—er—did you hit him back?”
“Oh yes, sir,” said Tom, with more animation now; “we had a regular set-to.”
The Vicar coughed, and keeping his hand upon his companion’s shoulder, he walked on by his side in silence for a few minutes. Then, after another cough—
“Of, course I cannot approve of fighting, Tom; but—er—he beat you then—well?”
“Oh no, sir,” said Tom, flushing a little. “I beat. He lay down at last and cried.”
“Humph!” ejaculated the Vicar. “Tell me how it began.”