"
"Oh! don't, don't! I didn't mean it," cried Hal, turning in the
terrible grip; "I thought it was only a rook!"
"A rook, I dare say! And what business had you to think, coming
trespassing here on my ground, and breaking the hedges! I'd have you
up for that, if for nothing else, you young vagabond!"
"Oh, don't, don't! I'm Henry Merrifield!"
"I don't care if you're Henry Merry Andrew!" said Farmer Grice, who
was a surly man, and had a grudge of long standing against the
Captain, for withstanding him at the Board of Guardians. "I'll have
the law out of you, whoever you are."
"But--but--Mamma is so very ill!" cried Hal, bursting into tears.
"The more shame for you to be rampaging about the country this
fashion," said the farmer, giving him a shake that seemed to make all
his bones rattle in his skin. "Serve you right if I flogged you
within an inch of your life."
"Oh, please don't--I mean please do--anything but have me up to the
magistrates! I'll never do it again, never!" sobbed Henry in his
terror.
Mr. Grice had some pity, and also knew that his wife and all the
neighbours would be shocked at his prosecuting so young a boy, whose
parents were in such distress.
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