Loveit spoke this with more than usual spirit, for both his heart and his pride were touched.
“Come along, then,” said Hardy, taking him by the arm in an affectionate manner; and he was just going, when Tarlton called after him, “Ay, go along with its best friend, and take care it does not get into a scrape;—good-bye, Little Panado!”
“Whom do they call Little Panado?” said Loveit, turning his head hastily back.
“Never mind,” said Hardy, “what does it signify?”
“No,” said Loveit, “to be sure it does not signify; but one does not like to be called Little Panado: besides,” added he, after going a few steps farther, “they’ll all think it so ill-natured. I had better go back, and just tell them that I’m very sorry I can’t get their shuttlecock; do come back with me.”
“No,” said Hardy, “I can’t go back; and you’d better not.”
“But, I assure you, I won’t stay a minute; wait for me,” added Loveit; and he slunk back again to prove that he was not Little Panado.
Once returned, the rest followed, of course; for to support his character of good-nature he was obliged to yield to the entreaties of his companions, and to show his spirit, leapt over the gate, amidst the acclamations of the little mob:—he was quickly out of sight.
“Here,” cried he, returning in about five minutes, quite out of breath, “I’ve got the shuttlecock; and I’ll tell you what I’ve seen,” cried he, panting for breath.
“What?” cried everybody, eagerly.