Bobbsey faintly, as she covered her eyes
with her hands. "Can't you stop that?"
CHAPTER XII
THE WIRE FENCE
Mr. Bobbsey did not waste any time talking. With a run and a jump he
was on shore, and then he started across the meadow toward the place
where the mean farmer was whipping Will, who was crying out loud. For
the cruel whip hurt.
"Hold on a minute, Mr. Hardee!" exclaimed Mr. Bobbsey, when he was
near enough to make himself heard. Back on the deck of the houseboat
Mrs. Bobbsey, the twins, their cousins and Dinah watched and waited to
see what would happen.
"You talkin' to me?" sharply demanded the mean farmer of Mr. Bobbsey.
"Yes, Mr. Hardee. I asked you to wait a minute before you keep on
whipping that boy. I happened to hear part of what he said, and I
think he is in the right."
"In th' right? What do you mean?"
"I mean I think he tells the truth, when he says he fished only during
the noon hour. We saw him as he came along, and he gave the fish he
had caught to my boy."
"Oh, he did, hey?" exclaimed Mr. Hardee. "I was wonderin' what become
of 'em. Give 'em away, did he? Wa'al, he knowed better'n to bring 'em
here. I knowed he'd been wastin' his time. When I set a boy to hoein'
corn, an' he comes home smellin' of fish, I know what he's been doin'
jest th' same as when I see a boy's head wet on a hot day I know he's
been in swimmin'! You can't fool me.
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