Peter insisted on this.
"The canal may belong to him," he said, "though I don't believe it does.

But the bridge is everybody's.

Doctor Forrest told me it's public property.

I'm not going to be bounced off the bridge by him or anyone else, so I tell you." Peter's ear was still sore and so were his feelings.
The girls followed him as gallant soldiers might follow the leader of a forlorn hope.
"I do wish you wouldn't," was all they said.
"Go home if you're afraid," said Peter; "leave me alone.

I'M not afraid." The sound of the man's footsteps died away along the quiet road.