He carried a handkerchief in his hand, and he had recovered his superb self-possession; but he seemed somewhat exhausted.
Captain Baster was somewhat excessive in the part of the wounded hero; and for a while he continued to talk ferociously of the vengeance he would wreak on the scoundrelly villagers.

But after a while he forgot his pricks and bruises to bask in the presence of Sir Maurice; and he plied him with unflagging friendliness for the rest of the evening.
The Twins were allowed to sit up till ten o'clock since their Uncle Maurice was staying with them; and since the Terror was full of admiration and approval of Erebus' strenuous endeavor to instil into Captain Baster the perils and drawbacks of stepfatherhood, he brushed out her abundant hair for her, an office he sometimes performed when she was in high favor with him.

As he did it she related gleefully the stoning of their enemy.
When she had done, he said warmly: "It was ripping.

But the nuisance is: he doesn't know it was you who did it, and so it's rather wasted." "Don't you worry: I'll let him know sometime to-morrow," said Erebus firmly.
"Yes; but he's awfully waxy: suppose he prosecutes you ?" said the Terror doubtfully.
Erebus considered the point; then she said: "I don't think he'd do that; he'd look so silly being stoned by a girl.

Anyhow, I'll chance it." "All right," said the Terror.