"You're a juggins," said Lawrence rather unfeelingly, when he had heard the story. "That's the sort of thing they do in the school stories, when the bold bad bully climbs down the gutterpipe and sneaks off to the pub to play cards and swill swipes. But I say, you're not hurt, old man?"
"The whack on the head rather crumpled me up," replied Bob.
Lawrence was out of bed in a trice, lit his candle, and bent over his brother.
"There's a bump as big as a duck's egg," he said. "Jolly lucky your head's hard, old chap! Turn over, and I'll bathe it."
In getting the water-can he stumbled over his boots, making a slight noise.
"It's time you fellows were asleep, came a muffled voice through the door. Mr. Appleton had awoke, and fancied that the boys had not yet settled down for the night.
"Shall we tell him?" said Lawrence.
"I meant to wait till morning, but as he's awake--yes, I think we had better."
Lawrence opened his uncle's door.
"I say, Uncle," he said, "Bob fancied he heard burglars and went prowling without a knuckle-duster----"