"There's nobody in the world better than my mother," returned the boy, standing his ground, and flushing painfully: for, in truth, the small way they were obliged to live in, through Chancery retaining the property, made a sore place in a corner of Archie's heart. "Ask Joseph Todhetley what he thinks of her. Ask John Whitney. _They_ recognize her for a lady." "But then they are gentlemen themselves." It was I who put that in. I couldn't help having a fling at Barrington. A bit of applause followed, and stung him. "If you shove in your oar, Johnny Ludlow, or presume to interfere with me, I'll pummel you to powder. There." Barrington kicked out on all sides, sending us backward. The bell rang for prayers then, and we had to go in. The game the next evening was football. We went out to it as soon as tea was over, to the field by the river towards Vale Farm. I can't tell much about its progress, except that the play seemed rougher and louder than usual. Once there was a regular skirmish: scores of feet kicking out at once; great struggling, pushing and shouting: and when the ball got off, and the tail after it in full hue and cry, one was left behind lying on the ground. I don't know why I turned my head back; it was the merest chance that I did so: and I saw Tod kneeling on the grass, raising the boy's head. "Holloa!" said I, running back. "Anything wrong? Who is it?" It was little Hearn. He had his eyes shut. Tod did not speak. "What's the matter, Tod? Is he hurt?" "Well, I think he's hurt a little," was Tod's answer. "He has had a kick here." Tod touched the left temple with his finger, drawing it down as far as the back of the ear. It must have been a good wide kick, I thought. "It has stunned him, poor little fellow. Can you get some water from the river, Johnny?" "I could if I had anything to bring it in. It would leak out of my straw hat long before I got here." But little Hearn made a move then, and opened his eyes. Presently he sat up, putting his hands to his head. Tod was as tender with him as a mother. "How do you feel, Archie?" "Oh, I'm all right, I think. A bit giddy." Getting on to his feet, he looked from me to Tod in a bewildered manner. I thought it odd. He said he wouldn't join the game again, but go in and rest. Tod went with him, ordering me to keep with the players. Hearn walked all right, and did not seem to be much the worse for it. "What's the matter now?" asked Mrs. Hall, in her cranky way; for she happened to be in the yard when they entered, Tod marshalling little Hearn by the arm. "He has had a blow at football," answered Tod. "Here"--indicating the place he had shown me. "A kick, I suppose you mean," said Mother Hall. "Yes, if you like to call it so. It was a blow with a foot." "Did you do it, Master Todhetley?" "No, I did not," retorted Tod.