Page:Fairview Boys and their Rivals.djvu/43

Rh nothing about this. He was going to turn Mrs. Lane out of her house. When Mr. Haven told of the hidden notes, they made old Silas Dolby turn the house over to its rightful owner. This made Mrs. Lane a happy woman, but after that Mr. Dolby snarled and glared at the boys whenever he came near them.

"Hold on, Bob, I'll try and explain to Mr. Dolby," said Frank, as Bob started towards the prostrate man.

"No, I'm going to face the music myself," replied Bob.

The other boys had run forward to where the old miser was just getting to his feet. His face was wrathy, and he scowled at the crowd.

"Here is your cane, Mr. Dolby," said Frank, picking up the stick and offering it to its owner.

"And here's your hat," added Sammy.

"Who threw that ball at me?" roared the old miser.

"Bob Bouncer kicked it," said Jed Burr.

"Oh, it was you, was it?" snarled the angry old man, making a lunge with his cane. Bob stood his ground.

"Yes, Mr. Dolby," replied Bob, "but it was an accident."

"Bah!"

"I didn't know anybody was crossing the field."

"Bosh! That ball has lamed my chest. I don't know but what I'm hurt inside."

"Let us help you home, Mr. Dolby," said Frank.

"Get away!" shouted the old man, not much like a person very seriously injured. "See here, Bob Bouncer, I know your mean feelings towards me."

"I haven't any," declared Bob.

"Bah! Well, whether you have or not, who's going to pay for that?"

Mr. Dolby pointed down to the spot where he had fallen. A half-sunken stone marked a base. In falling, it seemed that