"He wanted to ride Bobs."
"DID he?" Jim said. "And because you wouldn't let him, he cleared out and left you?"
"Well, he was offended," Norah replied slowly, "and I dare say he thought I would catch him up—instead of which I hung back, hoping you boys would catch ME up. So it wasn't really his fault."
"He must have known you would be coming through that timber by yourself in the dark."
"Oh, most likely he reckoned I'd have you with me by that time. He doesn't understand very well, does he? He didn't mean any harm, Jim."
"I don't know what he meant," Jim said, angrily. "But I know what he did—and what he'd have been responsible for if Lal Chunder hadn't happened along in the nick of time. Great overgrown calf! Upon my word, when I see him—"
"Oh, don't have a row, Jim," Norah pleaded. "He's a guest."
"Guest be hanged! Do you mean to say that's excuse for behaving like a cad?"
"Ah, he wouldn't mean to. Don't tell him about—about Lal Chunder—and the man."
"Not tell him?" Jim exclaimed.