Mr Cripps, who had had time to recover somewhat from his first surprise, looked a little inclined to defy his young antagonist, but, thinking better of it, suddenly assumed his usual impudent swagger as he replied, with a laugh, "Come, I say, you _do_ do it well, you do! It was a joke--just a joke, young gentleman. You've no occasion to flurry yourself; we wouldn't have hurt a hair of the young gentleman's head. Ask Mr Loman." "Where's Loman?" demanded Oliver. "Gone," said Stephen. "But I say, Noll, do come away. I'll tell you all about it. Do come." Cripps laughed. "Don't you swallow all that young swell tells you. He's a nice boy, he is, but--well, he'd better mind what he says, that's all!" "Do come away!" once more entreated Stephen. "Yes, do come away," laughed Cripps, mimicking the boy's tones. "When I calls up at the school I'll let them all know what a nice young prig he is, coming down and drinking at my public-house and then turning round on me. Never fear! _I'll_ let them know, my beauties! I'll have a talk with your Doctor and open his eyes for him. Good-bye, you sneaking young--" "Look here!" said Wraysford, quietly walking up to the blackguard in the midst of this discourse, "if you don't stop instantly you'll be sorry for it." Cripps stared a moment at the speaker, and at the first he held out. Then, without another word, he turned on his heel into the cottage, leaving the three boys standing in undisputed possession of the tow-path. "Come on, how, old man!" said Wraysford; "we can't do any good by staying here." Oliver looked disposed to resist, and cast a glance at the cottage door by which Cripps had just vanished. But he let himself be persuaded eventually, and turned gloomily towards the boat. Here Paul, who had been a witness of the _fracas_ on the tow-path, was waiting, ready to steer home, and bursting with curiosity to hear all Stephen had to say. Greatly to his disgust, Oliver said, peremptorily, "You'll have to walk home, Paul; Stephen will steer." "Why, you said I might steer." Oliver was in no humour for an argument, so he gave Paul a light box on his ears and advised him to go home quietly unless he wanted a thrashing, and not say a word to any one about what had occurred. Paul had nothing for it but sulkily to obey, and walk back. At last the others got on board and put off homeward. "Now," said Oliver, presently, resting on his oar and bending forward towards Stephen. "Oh, Noll!" began that unhappy youngster, "I am so very, very sorry! it was all--" "None of that," angrily interrupted the elder brother. "Just tell me how it came about." Stephen, quite cowed by his brother's angry manner, told his story shortly and hurriedly. "Why," he said, "you know I promised you never to go to the Cockchafer again, and I didn't, but I thought I ought to see Cripps and give him back the bicycle-lamp." "Young muff!" ejaculated his brother.