"Correct!"
"And why?"
"Because—well, because I happen to be rather fond of this old house,—we've both had a good time in it, Link,—and I don't want to see it turned into a fully-licensed pub. Also, because I don't like to see my friends make asses of themselves. Also, because—I suppose I ought to have mentioned this first—because it happens to be what I was made a monitor for."
"O lor!" said Linklater, turning up his eyes; "talking about his 'duty' now. We shall have a prayer next!"
"Yes, horrid word, 'duty,' isn't it?" said Pip. "I know no sportsman would ever use it. But I'm going to do mine for all that, my lad."
"May I venture to inquire how?"
"Well, there you rather have me. But I shall begin by going round the house with a stick and making myself deuced unpleasant."
"How the house will love you!"
"They'll thank me in the end," said Pip stoutly.
"What else will you do?"