Bob
When the boys had watched their aunt and Rosamond drive away, Justin turned to Archie.
'Come along,' he said, 'I want to go and ask Griffith about the ferrets. I wonder if Tom Brick has brought them.'
The two walked off together, but they had not gone far before they were overtaken by Pat, who came running after them.
'What do you want?' said Justin, not too amiably. 'I didn't ask you to come.'
'You're not my——' began Pat, but checked himself. 'Why shouldn't I come?' he went on in a pleasanter tone. 'I should like to see the ferrets too.'
'Yes,' put in Archie, 'why shouldn't he, Justin, if he wants to?'
'I suppose you've finished your story,' said Justin gruffly, 'and then when you've nothing better to do you condescend to give us your company. But I warn you, if you come with us, I won't have any sneaking or tell-taleing about anything we do.'
Pat opened his eyes—they were large dark eyes with a rather sad expression, quite unlike any of his brothers'—with a look of great surprise.
'What on earth could there be for me to tell-tale about,' he said, 'in just going to look at Tom Brick's ferrets? And what's more,' he added, with some indignation in his voice, 'it'll be time enough for you to speak to me like that when you do find me tell-taleing.'