Part 3 (1/2)
”Rover's had a fight,” replied d.i.c.k.
”Ah! Who with?”
”Mr. Jones's Bose.”
”Well, which whipped?”
”Rover, of course,” replied d.i.c.k, with a smile of triumph; ”and I can make him whip any thing.”
”You're a keen chap, d.i.c.k,” said Mr. Acres, patting the boy on the head, ”and are going to make a man one of these days, I see plainly enough. So Rover whipped. I knew there was prime stuff in him.”
”There isn't another such a fellow in these 'ere parts,” was d.i.c.k's proud answer.
”But _you_ look a little the worse for wear, as well as Rover. Have you been fighting, too?”
d.i.c.k held down his head for a moment, and then looking up into Mr.
Acres's face, said--
”Yes, sir,” in rather a sheepish way.
”Ah! well, who have you been fighting with?”
”With Harry Jones. He didn't want to give Rover fair play; and once, when he had Bose down, he kicked him.”
”And then you kicked him for kicking your dog?”
”Yes, sir.”
”That was right. Never permit a friend to be imposed upon. And after that you had a regular fight?”
”Yes, sir.”
”Which whipped?”
”I gave him a b.l.o.o.d.y nose; and shouldn't wonder if he had a black eye into the bargain. And what is more, made him cry 'enough.'”
”That was right. Never fight but in a good cause, and then be sure to whip your man.”
”It'll take a smarter boy than Harry Jones to whip me,” said d.i.c.k proudly.
”And you think Rover can whip any thing about here?”
”Yes, indeed. And I'm going to make him do it, too.”
”You'd better not try him against Markland's old Nero.”
”He'll whip him in ten minutes.”
”I'm not so sure of that. Nero is a great deal bigger and stronger.”