Hugh John made a rush at this point. There was a wild scurry of flight, and the gravel flew every way. Cissy was captured behind the stable, and Hugh John was about to administer punishment. His hand was doubled. It was drawn back.
"Yes," cried Cissy, "hit a girl! Any boy can beat you. But you can hit a girl! Hit hard, brave soldier!"
Hugh John's hand dropped as if struck by lightning.
"I never did!" he said; "I fought ten of them at once and never even cried when they—when they——"
And the erstwhile dauntless warrior showed unmistakable signs of being perilously near a descent into the vale of tears.
"When they what?" queried Cissy softly, suddenly beginning to be sorry.
"Well, when they tortured me," said Hugh John.
"'HIT HARD, BRAVE SOLDIER.'"