“Yes, sir. There was no letter for you.”
“Ahem! I shall have to write a letter to your guardian.”
Bernard shrugged his shoulders, but did not think it necessary to say anything, rather to the disappointment of Ezekiel, who wished to draw him out, “I find,” he said, “that you have made an outrageous assault on my innocent boy. What have you to say in extenuation of your conduct?”
“Only that your innocent boy was stoning a kitten, and bullying a young boy.”
“Even if he were, what business was it of yours?”
“It will always be my business to protect children and animals from being abused,” said Bernard warmly.
“You are a very impudent boy! Are you aware that the boy you assaulted is my son?”
“I ought to be aware of it. There isn’t another boy in town who would be guilty of such brutal conduct.”
“Are you goin’ to stand that, pa?” asked Septimus, anxious to precipitate a conflict between Bernard and his father.
“No, I am not,” said Mr. Snowdon, compressing his lips. “Get me the horsewhip.”