Were he to rise and approach the little couple the consequences might be disastrous.

Were he to remain where he was or skulk away, he would be allowing them to believe him the ruffian they thought him, and that lane would become a daily terror to their little lives.

The only thing was to endeavour to make friends.
"What are you afraid of ?" said he, in as gentle a manner as he could.
"I won't hurt you." The sound of his voice caused the smaller boy to scream outright, and even the elder trembled a little as he kept himself full front to the enemy.
"You little donkeys, I'm a schoolboy myself," said Jeffreys.

This announcement had a magical effect.

The younger brother stopped short in his scream, and Freddy boldly took two steps forward.
"Are you a boy ?" inquired the latter.
"Of course I am.