“Oh, my holy aunt!” he whispered hoarsely. “Just you wait till I get you alone!”
Oliver got him alone, an hour later, in a passage, having lain in ambush for him, and after a few busy moments, contemplated a bruised and bleeding Doggie blubbering in a corner.
“Do you think my behaviour is detestable now?”
“Yes,” whimpered Doggie.
“I’ve a good mind to go on licking you until you say ‘no,’” said Oliver.
“You’re a great big bully,” said Doggie.
Oliver reflected. He did not like to be called a bully. “Look here,” said he, “I’ll stick my right arm down inside the back of my trousers and fight you with my left.”
“I don’t want to fight. I can’t fight,” cried Doggie.
Oliver put his hands in his pockets.
“Will you come and play Kiss-in-the-Ring, then?” he asked sarcastically.