“What does all this mean, Armstrong?”
“As far as I am concerned, it means that I took the liberty of knocking Mr Ratman down for insulting your daughter. I am sorry you were not present to do it yourself.”
Captain Oliphant turned white, and red, and black in succession.
“You knocked a visitor of mine—”
“Down twice,” said the tutor, helping himself to sugar.
“Oh, what a lark!” exclaimed Tom. “Oh, I wish I’d been up too. Was it a good mill, I say? How many rounds? Six? Why ever didn’t you come and tell me, Jill?”
“Be quiet, Tom,” said Jill.
“Did you get him clean on the jaw, I say?” persisted Tom, “like the one—”
“Hold your tongue, sir,” said his father peremptorily. “Mr Armstrong, I must ask you to explain this matter later; this is not the place for such talk.”
“Quite so. I regret the matter was referred to. Tom, be good enough to pass Miss Oliphant the toast.”