Dexter."

He shook his head.

"Come," she cried, "if you have been in fault confess it frankly."

"But I haven't," cried the boy angrily. "I couldn't help fighting when
he knocked me about as he did. He bit me too. Look there!"

He hastily drew up his sleeve, and displayed a ruddy circle on his white
skin, which bore pretty strong witness to the truth of his words.

"Then, if you were not to blame, why should you shrink from coming to
papa?"

"'Cause he mightn't believe me. Mr Sibery never would, neither,"
muttered Dexter.

"Tell the truth and papa will be sure to believe you," cried Helen
indignantly.

"Think he would!" said Dexter.

"I am sure of it, sir."

"All right then," cried the boy quickly. "I'll come. Oh, I say!"

"What is the matter?"

"Look! Here he comes!"

He pointed quickly in the direction of the town, and, wresting himself
from Helen's grasp, set off at a sharp run.

But he had not gone a dozen yards before he turned and saw Helen gazing
after him.

He stopped directly, and came slowly and reluctantly back.

"Did you call me!" he said sheepishly.

"No, Dexter; I think it must have been your conscience spoke and
upbraided you for being such a coward."

"Yes, it was cowardly, wasn't it?" cried the boy. "I didn't mean to run
away, but somehow I did. I say, will he hit me!"

"No, Dexter."

"Will he be very cross with me?"

"I am afraid he will, Dexter; but you must submit bravely, and speak the
simple truth."

"Yes, I'm going to," said Dexter, with a sigh; and he glanced behind him
at the pleasant stretch of meadows, and far away down among the alders
and willows, with Bob Dimsted fishing, and evidently quite free from the
care which troubled him.

The doctor strode up, looking very angry.

"So you are there, are you, sir?" he cried austerely. "Do you know of
this disgraceful business!"

"Dexter has been telling me," said Helen gravely.

"Humph!" grunted the doctor. "I knew you had come down here, so I
thought I would come and tell you of the terrible state of affairs."

"Terrible, papa!"

"Ah! then you don't know. It was not likely he would tell you. Sir
James came straight to me, and told me everything. It seems that the
two boys were sent down the garden together to play, and that as soon as
they were alone, Dexter here began to annoy and tease Edgar."

"Here, just say that again, will you?" cried Dexter sharply.

"I repeat that Dexter here began to