“Well, you understand,” said Jack, turning rather a grim countenance on the small suppliant, “that you’ll have to knock under to us; if you don’t you’ll get toko, mind that.”
“What’s toko?” asked Gaston, under his breath.
“Only a whacking,” said Hubert, as gaily as if it had been a plum bun. “I don’t mind that.”
“Then you’re the right sort of man, old chap,” cried Phil.
At this bit of praise Hubert swelled almost visibly with pride.
“And may Gaston come?” he asked.
“He’ll have to come as knight, you know,” said Jack to Phil.
“Yes, and Andrew would be sure to fight him and spoil sport that way,” whispered the latter in return.
“May Gaston come too?” asked Hubert again.
“No! Gaston mayn’t come too,” answered Andrew, mimicking Hubert’s tone; “we don’t want the company of a French frog on this occasion; do we, you fellows?” he added, addressing the other boys.