Part 65 (1/2)
”No, I said we wouldn't; so look here, youngster: we're going to forgive you, if you promise to behave better and do as you're bid. This isn't school, you know, where a boy can set himself up against his elders, but the Queen's service, where every one has his place, and has to keep it too--mind that. There, that's all I've got to say.”
”And very nicely said too,” I replied.
He looked at me sharply, but my face was like marble, and he concluded that I had spoken seriously, for he turned to Barkins--
”There, Tanner, I've done; now it's your turn.”
”What for?”
”To give him a few words.”
”Oh, I don't think I want to say anything,” said Barkins slowly. ”I'm sorry the poor little beggar got into such a row.”
”It'll do him good.”
”I hope so,” said Barkins slowly and reluctantly, and there was rather a mournful look in his eyes as he spoke.
”You'd better give him a few words of advice,” said Smith in an off-hand tone.
”Oh no, he's had enough jawing. I shan't say anything.”
”Thank you, Tanner,” I said.
”Oh, all right,” he cried, and he held out his hand and shook mine, brightening up the next moment, and looking as pleased as if he had just got a great trouble off his mind.
”You needn't be in such a jolly hurry to forgive him,” said Smith in a remonstrant tone; ”he has been a cheeky little beggar, and deserved all he got.”
”But it isn't nice to be wigged, all the same,” said Barkins sharply.
”No, but it don't matter if you deserved it. Now then, Gnat, tell us what Dishy said.”
”What about?” I asked innocently.
”What about? Why, your a.s.sociating with Ching so much.”
”Oh, that!” I cried.
”Oh, that!” he said, mocking my way of speaking. ”Why, what did you think I meant?”
”I don't know.”
”Well, what did he say?”
”Nothing at all.”
”What! no lies now.”
”Who's telling lies? He didn't say a word about it. We had something of more consequence to talk about.”
”Now, Tanner, hark at that. Did you ever hear such a miserable cheeky little beggar in your life? It's of no use; we must give him a regular good towelling.”