“You certainly did it most unscientifically.”
“How do you mean—unscientifically?”
“In the delivery of the blow. I never saw a more awkwardly delivered undercut.”
Yates looked at his friend in astonishment. How should this calm, learned man know anything about undercuts or science in blows?
“Well, you must admit I got there just the same.”
“Yes, by brute force. A sledge hammer would have done as well. But you had such an opportunity to do it neatly and deftly, without any display of surplus energy, that I regretted to see such an opening thrown away.”
“Heavens and earth, Stilly, this is the professor in a new light! What do you teach in Toronto University, anyhow? The noble art of self-defense?”
“Not exactly; but if you intend to go through Canada in this belligerent manner, I think it would be worth your while to take a few hints from me.”
“With striking examples, I suppose. By Jove! I will, Stilly.”
As the two came to the house they found Bartlett sitting in a wooden rocking chair on the veranda, looking grimly down the road.