“I condescended to give him the worst of it. He won’t want to fight with me again.”
“I don’t understand it. He is certainly stronger than you.”
“He doesn’t know how to use his strength. I can box, and while I warded off his blows I put in a few that he didn’t like.”
“Then you box?”
“A little.”
“I’ll take care not to get into a fight with him,” said James to himself. “If he can whip Ben Miller he’s more than a match for me.”
Meanwhile Mary had gone up-stairs and changed her dress, as her cousin suggested.
Imogene, having Tom to herself, became very agreeable, loaded his plate with strawberries, and strove to ingratiate herself with him. But Tom did not easily forget the spite which she had exhibited toward her cousin, and Imogene would hardly have felt flattered had she been able to read the real opinion which he entertained concerning her.
“Take some more strawberries—do, Mr. Temple,” said Imogene.
“Thank you,” said Tom, “but I have eaten heartily. Besides, your cousin hasn’t had any.”