"She's going to take it off herself, with her own two hands," Flanagan remarked.
"Oh, blimey!" groaned Bubb; then, in an excess of rage, "I'll kill 'er if she comes near me. I'll strangle 'er, then I'll strangle you."
But Bubb's violent gestures did not deter Emilie from approaching the stretcher. She knew all about Bubb's mishap. Flanagan had explained his mate's woeful plight. Emilie bent down and raised the lower part of the ground sheet, disclosing Bubb's toes.
Spudhole curled up like a hedgehog. The girl gave the sheet a slight tug.
"Pour moi!" she said.
"Git out!" yelled Bubb. "Clear off ter 'ell. Damn yer, don't yer know wot shame is! Ally voos ong."
"Pull it off, Emilie," roared Flanagan, holding his sides.
The girl gave the sheet another tug. She did not want to take it off, but Bubb's terror amused her.
The boy could stand it no longer. He got to his feet, wrapped the sheet round his waist and fled up the street. The village came out to see him careering along; all laughed at the escapade but few were surprised at the spectacle.
"It's only the mad English," the old women said. "They are always up to mischief."