They were both tremendously earnest and reasonable in their manner. They wished everyone to regard them as responsible and intellectual men acting for the love of right and the enduring good of the world. They felt they must treat this business as a profound and publicly significant affair. They wanted to explain and orate and show the entire necessity of everything they had done. Mr. Polly was convinced he had never been so absolutely correct in all his life as when he planted his foot in the sanitary dustbin, and Mr. Rusper considered his clutch at Mr. Polly's hair as the one faultless impulse in an otherwise undistinguished career. But it was clear in their minds they might easily become ridiculous if they were not careful, if for a second they stepped over the edge of the high spirit and pitiless dignity they had hitherto maintained. At any cost they perceived they must not become ridiculous. Mr. Chuffles, the scandalous grocer, joined the throng about the principal combatants, mutely as became an outcast, and with a sad, distressed helpful expression picked up Mr. Polly's bicycle. Gambell's summer errand boy, moved by example, restored the dustbin and pails to their self-respect. "'_E_ ought--'_e_ ought (kik) pick them up," protested Mr. Rusper. "What's it all about?" said Mr. Hinks for the third time, shaking Mr. Rusper gently. "As 'e been calling you names?" "Simply ran into his pails--as anyone might," said Mr. Polly, "and out he comes and scrags me!" "(Kik) Assault!" said Mr. Rusper. "He assaulted _me_," said Mr. Polly. "Jumped (kik) into my dus'bin!" said Mr. Rusper. "That assault? Or isn't it?" "You better drop it," said Mr. Hinks. "Great pity they can't be'ave better, both of 'em," said Mr. Chuffles, glad for once to find himself morally unassailable. "Anyone see it begin?" said Mr. Wintershed. "_I_ was in the shop," said Mrs. Rusper suddenly from the doorstep, piercing the little group of men and boys with the sharp horror of an unexpected woman's voice. "If a witness is wanted I suppose I've got a tongue. I suppose I got a voice in seeing my own 'usband injured. My husband went out and spoke to Mr. Polly, who was jumping off his bicycle all among our pails and things, and immediately 'e butted him in the stomach--immediately--most savagely--butted him. Just after his dinner too and him far from strong. I could have screamed. But Rusper caught hold of him right away, I will say that for Rusper...." "I'm going," said Mr. Polly suddenly, releasing himself from the Anglo-Japanese grip and holding out his hands for his bicycle. "Teach you (kik) to leave things alone," said Mr. Rusper with an air of one who has given a lesson. The testimony of Mrs. Rusper continued relentlessly in the background. "You'll hear of me through a summons," said Mr. Polly, preparing to wheel his bicycle. "(Kik) Me too," said Mr. Rusper. Someone handed Mr. Polly a collar. "This yours?"