“That’s no excuse,” said Jim, sternly. “He needn’t think I’ll let him off on that account.”
“Of course not,” answered Bates.
“What would you advise me to do, boys?” asked Jim, with the air of a monarch asking the opinion of his counselors.
“Thrash him till he can’t stand!” said the subservient Bates. He was always ready to go farther than anyone else in supporting and defending the authority of the tyrant of the playground.
“Bates, you are right. I shall follow your advice,” said Jim. “Where is the young reprobate?”
“He is over in Carver’s field.”
“Is anyone with him?”
“Yes, Wilkins.”
“Ha! Wilkins and I will have an account to settle. If he is going to side with this young rascal he must take the consequences. So, he’s over in the field, is he? What’s he doing?”
“I think he was going to walk down to the brook.”