'Not fair an' square to the other boys,' he added philosophically.
Joel Ham shook his head.
'I teach your children,' he said.

'I neither hang nor flagellate your criminals.' 'No, no, a-course not,' said Peterson.
'Might you be able to spare us this boy fer the rest o' the afternoon, in the name o' the committee ?' asked Cann.

'We'll go an' argue with his mother to leave the lickin' of him to the committee.' 'As a question o' public interest,' said Peterson.
The master consented to this, and Dick was led away between the two men.
The interview with Mrs.Haddon took place in the widow's garden.

Mrs.
Haddon quite understood what it meant when Peterson entered with Dick in custody.
'Good day, Mrs.Haddon,' said the big man gingerly.

'O' course you know all 'bout the trouble o' those goats.' 'Made by you stupid men, mostly,' said Mrs.Haddon.
Peterson stammered and appealed to Cann--he had not expected argument.
'What we men did, ma'am,' said Cann, 'was to protect our property.