Part 8 (1/2)
Johnnie, I ain't been able to sit down conweniently since. I say, Johnnie?”
”Well.”
”Friends, hey?”
”All right.”
Then the two shook hands, and young Whitechapel said if Archie would buy two pairs of gloves he would show him how it was done. So Archie did, and became an apt pupil in the n.o.ble art of self-defence; which may be used at times, but never abused.
However, Archie Broadbent never forgot that lesson in the wood.
CHAPTER SIX.
”JOHNNIE'S GOT THE GRIT IN HIM.”
On the day of his fight with young Harry in the wood, Archie returned home to find both his father and Mr Walton in the drawing-room alone.
His father caught the lad by the arm. ”Been tumbling again off that pony of yours?”
”No, father, worse. I'm sure I've done wrong.” He then told them all about the practical joking, and the _finale_.
”Well,” said the Squire, ”there is only one verdict. What do you say, Walton?”
”Serve him right!”
”Oh, I know that,” said Archie; ”but isn't it lowering our name to keep such company?”
”It isn't raising our name, nor growing fresh laurels either, for you to play practical jokes on this poor London lad. But as to being in his company, Archie, you may have to be in worse yet. But listen! I want my son to behave as a gentleman, even in low company. Remember that boy, and despise no one, whatever be his rank in life. Now, go and beg your mother's and sister's forgiveness for having to appear before them with a black-eye.”
”Archie!” his father called after him, as he was leaving the room.
”Yes, dad?”
”How long do you think it will be before you get into another sc.r.a.pe?”
”I couldn't say for certain, father. I'm sure I don't want to get into any. They just seem to come.”
”There's no doubt about one thing, Mr Broadbent,” said the tutor smiling, when Archie had left.
”And that is?”
”He's what everybody says he is, a chip of the old block. Headstrong, and all that; doesn't look before he leaps.”
”Don't _I_, Walton?”
”Squire, I'm not going to flatter you. You know you don't.”
”Well, my worthy secretary,” said the Squire, ”I'm glad you speak so plainly. I can always come to you for advice when--”
”When you want to,” said Walton, laughing. ”All right, mind you do.
I'm proud to be your factor, as well as tutor to your boys. Now what about that Chillingham bull? You won't turn him into the west field?”