Page:Jepson--Pollyooly.djvu/356

 "If she touches me I'll bite her," said Pollyooly, in a tone of the grimmest resolution.

The duke scratched his head and said: "Look here, if you don't go with Mrs. Hutton, Lucas shall take you, you naughty child."

"If he touches me I'll bite him," said Pollyooly.

The duke panted and rang the bell.

The portly butler came to the summons.

"Take Lady Marion to her rooms, Lucas," said the duke.

"If you touch me I'll bite you," said Pollyooly, glowering at him and baring her teeth.

Lucas scratched his head.

"D'you hear what I say? Take her to her room!" cried the duke furiously; and he executed a short, poor dance on the hearthrug.

Lucas advanced slowly, looking unhappy.

"Look here, you go quietly. You'll only get hurt and get your clothes torn," said Ronald in a tone of decision. "And I'll go and fetch John Ruffin. He'll make them understand."

The thought of getting her clothes torn hampered Pollyooly's freedom of action, and, scowling at