Page:Zodiac stories by Blanche Mary Channing.pdf/270

Rh "And did my son forget what a gentleman's views are on the subject of hitting back if the other party is a lady?" asked Mr. Fane.

Bobby's reproachful glance reassured his father even before his eager—"Oh, Papa! As if I would strike a girl!"

"But what happened then? Get on, Bobby—don't be so long about it; how did the child get hurt?"

Bobby now hung his head.

"I tried to push her away, and she fell down."

"And hit her head against the wall?"

"No, against the box—the big box the puppies sleep in. I truly did n't mean to hurt poor Moti, Papa! Only, she slapped me so much I had to stop it, and I stopped it too hard!"

Mr. Fane bit his lip.

"Well, Bobby," he said after a few moments, "I am not going to whip you, as you did not strike your cousin; but I