"Ef you don't you'll get a topper." Hawkesbury, whose colour had been rising during the last few moments, and whose assurance had gradually been deserting him, now turned round with a ceremonious smile to the last speaker as he rose to his feet and said, "If _you_ desire it, I'll go.

I can submit to be ordered off by a shoeblack, but the son of a convict is--" With clenched fist and crimson face Jack gave a sudden bound towards the speaker.

But as suddenly he checked himself and walked gently to my bed, where I had started up ready to spring to my feet and back up my friend in what seemed a certain quarrel.
"What a cad I am!" he murmured, as he bent over me, and motioned me gently back to my pillow, "but the fellow nearly drives me mad." I was too exhausted by my effort to say anything.
Jack remained by my side while the unwelcome visitor slowly walked to the door.

But if one of Hawkesbury's enemies was disposed of, another remained.

Billy, who had been a fuming and speechless witness of this last scene, now boiled over completely, and was to be kept in check no longer.
Wasting no words, he made a wild dash at the retreating intruder and closed with him.