“I am ready to accept the decision of any one of the boys,” said Hector.
“Bates,” said Socrates, who knew that this boy was an adherent of his nephew, “is this account of Roscoe’s true?”
Bates hesitated a moment. He was still afraid of Jim, but when he thought of Hector’s prowess, he concluded that he had better tell the truth.
“Yes, sir,” he answered.
Jim Smith darted an angry and menacing glance at his failing adherent.
“Ahem!” said Socrates, looking puzzled: “it is not quite so bad as I supposed. I regret, however, that you have exhibited such a quarrelsome disposition.”
“I don’t think I am quarrelsome, sir,” said Hector.
“Silence, sir! I have Mr. Allan Roscoe’s word for it.”
“It appears to me,” said Hector, undauntedly, “that your nephew is at least as quarrelsome as I am. He forced the fight upon me.”
“Probably you will not be in a hurry to attack him again,” said Socrates, under the impression that Hector had got the worst of it.