"My son, my son! Never let me hear you speak in that way of your cousin."
But Preston muttered to Ninny and Julia,—
"Why, you see, I know he did it! He said something would happen to Snowball; and he said it so spiteful!"
"Bertie Rabbit's a drefful wicked boy, an' his playfings shan't stay in my yard," scolded Flaxie Frizzle, kicking away, with her foot, Bert's new green morocco ball that lay in the grass.
"Look there, will you! He dropped that ball when he brought the poison," cried Preston, very much excited. "Give that ball here to me, Flaxie".
Preston was sure now. He had made up his mind in a hurry, but he had made it up; he knew who had killed his rabbit.
Bert was not at school that day.
"I didn't s'pose he'd dare to come," said Preston.