"You had better—really," he repeated.

The pale boy interposed.

"She is out with me," he said.

"So I see—she had better go home."

"Why—who says so?"

"If she doesn't she will see you get a licking. P'raps—p'raps she wouldn't like that."

Tommy still looked at the path.

"I—I'm not going to fight anyone to-day."

"You are—you're jolly well going to fight me, now."