In the end he had to go home and bring back his father’s hired man to take charge of the wreck. He learned that the frightened horse had already found his way to the stable, terrifying the family with fears that Philip had been seriously hurt on the way.
Philip gave a garbled account of the affair to his father and mother, and excited the indignation of both, but especially his mother.
“I never heard of such an outrage—never!” exclaimed Mrs. Ross, emphatically. “To think that boy should deliberately run into you and endanger your life—my poor Philip!”
“That’s just what he did, mother,” said Philip, enjoying the indignation he had aroused.
Colonel Ross was not quite so thoroughly convinced that his son was right.
“Did you give Harry half the road?” he inquired.
“I gave him room enough to get by,” answered Philip, evasively.
“The law requires that you should give him half the road.”
“I hope, Mr. Ross, you don’t justify that horrid boy in running into Philip?” said Mrs. Ross, sharply.
“No, my dear; I consider that he acted very badly. But, in order to make him amenable to the law for the damage Philip’s team suffered, it must appear that Philip gave him half the road.”