“Well, we’ve got rid of him,” said William complacently, “and if I’m not clever I don’ know who is!”
Over-modesty was not one of William’s faults.
“Well, I bet you’re not quite as clever as you think you are,” said Ginger pugnaciously.
“How’ d’you know that?” said William rising to the challenge. “How d’you know how clever I think I am? You mus’ think yourself jolly clever ’f you think you know how clever I think I am!”
The discussion would have run its natural course to the physical conflict that the Outlaws found so exhilarating if Joan and Violet Elizabeth had not at this moment emerged from the barn.
“You have been making a noith!” said Violet Elizabeth disapprovingly. “Wherth the boy with the Bullth Eyth?”
“Heth gonth awath,” said William unfeelingly.
“I want a Bullth Eye. You’re a nathty boy to let him go away when I want a Bullth Eye.”
“Well, you can go after himth,” said William, less afraid of her tears now that he was surrounded by his friends. But Violet Elizabeth was too angry for tears.
“Yeth and I thall!” she said. “You’re a nathty rude boy an’ I don’t love you and I don’t want you for a huthband. I want the boy with the Bullth Eyth!”