“Young Cole wouldn’t dare,” he said.
“Yes, he would,” said Bartlett; “he dares more than you dare.”
“No, he doesn’t,” said the Dean’s Ernest indignantly.
“Yes, he does.”
“You dare more than Sampson dares, don’t you, Cole?” said Bill.
“Of course I do,” said Jeremy, without a moment’s hesitation.
“Well, do it then,” said the Dean’s Ernest swiftly.
It appeared on further examination that Bartlett had dared young Sampson to walk round the cathedral twice just as the clocks were striking midnight. It was obvious at once that this involved quite terrifying dangers. Apart altogether from the ghostly prospect of walking round the cathedral at midnight, there was the escape from the house, the danger of the police and the return to the house. Jeremy saw at once all that was involved, but because the Dean’s Ernest was there and staring at him from under his pale eyebrows with arrogant contempt, he said at once:
“I dare.”
Tommy Winchester, who was complaining bitterly about the food provided, was soon drawn into the challenge, and although his stout cheeks quivered at the prospect (Major Winchester, his father, was the sternest of disciplinarians) he had to say: “I dare.”