The pair came closer quickly, and Ralph saw that he was recognised, and that the boy was scowling at him, passing him with rather an evil look, but stopping the next minute, and running back after him.

As soon as he heard the steps returning, Ralph faced round, his left hand seeking the sheath of his sword, to bring it round in case he should want to draw.

But the next minute he saw that the lad had no evil intent.
"Look here," cried Dummy, "did you see a young lady on a pony ?" "Yes." "Was it going fast ?" "As fast as it could go," said Ralph haughtily.
"Not running away wi' her ?" "Yes," said Ralph, rather enjoying the boy's anxiety, in his ruffled state.
"I knowed it would: I knowed it would!" cried the boy wildly; "and she would have it out.

Here! gone right on ?" "Yes." "Ah! And you never tried to stop it.

Oh, wait till I see you again!" Ralph did not feel in the humour to stop and explain to one who had threatened him so offensively, and he would have felt less so still if he had known that Dummy Rugg had followed him that night through the dark woods, till he met his father.
"Let him find out for himself," he muttered.