“No sticking,” said Ted. “Only knocking.”
“Only knocking and slashing,” said Bevis. “Stabbing won’t do, and arrows won’t do, nor spears.”
“Why not?” said Mark, who had been looking forward to darting his javelin at Ted Pompey.
“Because eyes will get poked out,” said Bevis, “and there would be a row. If anybody got stuck and killed, there would be an awful row.”
“So there would,” said Mark. “How stupid!” Just as if people could not kill one another without so much fuss!
“And no hitting at faces,” said Bevis, “else if somebody’s marked there will be a bother.”
“No,” said Ted. “Mind, no slashing faces. Knock swords together.”
“Knock swords together,” said Bevis. “Make rattling and shout.”
“Shout,” said Mark, bellowing his loudest.
“How shall we know when we’re killed?” said Cecil.