Bradley talked to him in plain and simple words, without any assumption.

His voice was kind and sincere, and Harold nearly wept under its music, but he added very little to Bradley's knowledge of the situation.
"He struck me with the whip, and then I--I can't remember much about it, my mind was a kind of a red blur," Harold said at last desperately.
"Why did he strike you with the whip ?" "I told him he was a black-hearted liar." "What made you say that to him ?" persevered Bradley.
"Because that's what he was." "Did he say something to you which you resented ?" "Yes--he did." "What was it ?" Right there Harold closed his lips and Bradley took another tack.
"Harry, I want you to tell me something.

Did you have anything to do with killing Brownlow's dog ?" "No," replied Harold disdainfully.
"Did you have any hand in the raid on Brownlow's orchard a week later ?" "No; I was at home." "Did your folks see you during the evening ?" "No; I was with Jack up in the attic, reading." "You've taken a hand in _some_ of these things--raids--haven't you ?" "Yes, but I never tried to destroy things.

It was all in fun." "I understand.

Well, now, Harold, you've got a worse name than belongs to you, and I wish you'd just tell me the whole truth about this fight, and we will do what we can to help you." Harold's face grew sullen.