“Yah—you’re ’fraid!” taunted Henry, not because he had the least doubt of William’s courage but simply to introduce an element of excitement into the proceedings.
He succeeded.
When finally Henry and William arose breathless and bruised from the ditch where the fight had ended, Douglas and Ginger surveyed them with dispassionate interest.
“William won an’ you’re both in a jolly old mess!”
Henry removed some leaves and bits of grass from his mouth.
“All right, you’re not afraid,” he said pacifically to William, “when will you come huntin’ wild animals?”
William considered. He was going to give the life of virtue, of self-denial and service a fair day’s trial, but there was just the possibility that from William’s point of view it might not be a success. It would be as well to leave the door to the old life open.
“I’ll tell you to-morrow,” he said guardedly.
“All right. I say, let’s race to the end of the field on only one leg ... Come on! Ready?... One, two, three ... GO!”
II