p his
tackle, so as to make a strategic movement, there being evidently
trouble in the rear.

"But what does this mean?" said Helen firmly. "Who is that boy?"

"Bob--Bob Dimsted."

"And do you know him?"

"He--he was fishing opposite our--your--garden the day I fell into the
river," faltered Dexter; and he looked longingly at Bob, who was quickly
moving away, and wished that those eyes did not hold him so firmly, and
keep him from doing the same.

"Was he at your school?"

"No," faltered Dexter.

"Then I am sure papa would not like you to be making acquaintance with
boy's like that. But come, Dexter. What is the meaning of all this? I
left you at Sir James Danby's."

"Yes," said Dexter, shuffling from foot to foot.

"Then why are you not there now--playing with Edgar?"

Dexter did not answer, but seemed to be admiring the prospect.

"Why, Dexter, your face is all scratched!"

Dexter looked up at her, with the scratched face scarlet.

"How is that!" continued Helen sternly.

"Fighting," said Dexter grimly.

"Fighting? Oh, shame! And with that rough boy!"

"No!" cried Dexter quickly. "He didn't knock me about."

"Then who did!"

"That young Danby."

Dexter's lips were well opened now, and he went on talking rapidly.

"I never did anything to him, but he went on for an hour walking all
round the garden, and wouldn't speak; and when I was tired and sat down,
he got a stick and knocked me about, and poked me with the point. I
stood it as long as I could, and then, when he got worse and worse, I
pitched into him, and I'm sure you would have done the same."

Helen did not look as if she would have done the same, but stood gazing
at the young monkey before her, wondering whether he was deserving of
her sympathy, or had really misbehaved himself, and was trying to
palliate his conduct.

"There, Dexter," she said at last. "I really do not know what to do
with you. You had better come on and see papa at once."

She took a step toward the town, and then waited, but Dexter stood firm,
and cast a glance toward the country.

"Dexter, did you hear what I said!"

The boy looked at her uneasily, and then nodded sullenly.

"Come home with me, then, at once," said Helen quickly.

"It's no use for me to come home along of you," said Dexter surlily.
"He'll hit me, and I don't want to go."

Helen hesitated for a few moments, and then laid her hand upon the boy's
shoulder.

"I wish you to come,