"Come along." "He's hurting someone," said Annette, starting down the lane.

"What?
I believe it's that poor child, Steve Wickes." Like a wrathful fury she dashed in upon Sam and his company of tormentors and, knocking the little ones right and left, she sprang upon Sam with a fierce cry.
"You great brute!" She seized him by his thatch of thick red hair and with one mighty swing she hurled him clear of Steve and dashed him head on against the lane fence.

Sheer surprise held Sam silent for a few seconds, but as he felt the trickle of warm blood run down his face and saw it red upon his hand, his surprise gave place to terror.
"Ouw! Ouw!" he bellowed.

"I'm killed, I'm dying.

Ouw! Ouw!" "I hope so," said Annette, holding Steve in her arms and seeking to quiet his sobbing.