Quick! Off with the jar,
or it'll be the worse for you."
But Dick stood still, while the thought of Lionheart gave him courage.
"I'll do anything for you that's right, but I can't do that," he said
bravely. "I'll never go into a public-house, and the rules are up
there as plain as can be." And he pointed to the glazed and somewhat
dingy copy of rules and regulations on the wall.
"You young impudence, I'll teach you!" said Whatman in ungovernable
rage. "If you don't go this minute I'll give you such a hiding as
you'll never forget. I owe you one for interfering with Jem the other
day."
But Dick did not move, and his brown eyes met Whatman's angry scowl
without shrinking.
Suddenly, Hal Smith, one of the other lads, said, "Here, Whatman, I'll
fetch it this time, same as I have before, and we'll make him have a
drink, and that will put a stop to his teetotal whining."
Seizing the jar and looking out cautiously to see that the coast was
clear, he hurried off, while Whatman, muttering angrily, turned away.
Dick went on with his cleaning of some brass fittings, polishing and
rubbing till they shone like gold.
But while his hands worked vigorously his thoughts were away beyond the
grimy shed and the troubles of the hour, seeking One who said, "I will
never leave thee nor forsake thee.
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