“Stop that, young un. I told you before you’re not to do that. What have you got to say? Come.”
“I say, I heard mamma say to Clara this afternoon, that you aint to be trusted; and I told Clara I’d tell you, because she teased me; and mamma said you deceived papa. I heard every word.”
“She could not have said that, because I never did anything of the kind,” said William, flushing a little.
“Yes, but she did. I heard her, I’d swear; and Clara said, he’s a low person. I told her I’d tell you. She did, upon my word—a low person, and I said I’d tell you; and I’ll tell you ever so much more.”
“Not now, please, nor ever. I don’t want to hear that sort of thing, even if it was said. I’d rather not, unless it was said to myself.”
“And I heard Clara say, let him go about his business. I did, upon my honour.”
“I say, young un, this is one of your fibs to vex Miss Knox.”
Master Howard began to vociferate.
“Quiet, Sir! If your mamma had any complaint to make, she’d make it to me, I suppose; and if you say a word more on the subject, I’ll go in and mention the matter to your mamma,” said William, growing angry.
“Catch me telling you anything ever again, as long as I live, that’s all,” said Master Howard, and broke into mutterings; and then whistled a tune as loud as he could, with his hands in his pockets, and his heels on the table. But he did not succeed in disturbing William. Thoughts that are thoroughly unpleasant hold fast like bull-dogs. It is only the pleasant ones that take wing at noise, like a flight of birds.