Mark put on his coat, and went downstairs to the office.
Squire Collins was seated at a desk, with his spectacles astride his nose. He looked up as Mark entered.
"Mr. Waite tells me you wish to see me, Mr. Collins," said Mark.
"Yes," said the squire, frowning. "I presume you can guess what I want to see you about."
"Perhaps so," answered Mark.
"I understand that you made a violent attack upon my son James in the pasture, yesterday afternoon."
"We did have a little difficulty," Mark admitted.
"Ha! I am glad you confess it. James says you made an unprovoked attack upon him."
"That is not quite true, Squire Collins; I was very much provoked."
"Did my son attack you first?" demanded the squire, sharply.