He thinks he's not quite important enough, so he's going to start bullying.

I'll back you up." "Thanks, awfully," said the ductile Arthur.

"You're a brick.

I'd take your advice." He did, and prevailed upon Dig to do the same.
The consequence was, that when next afternoon the captain walked into their study to see whether his order had been complied with, he was met by an unceremonious yap from Smiley herself, echoed by an impertinent squeak from her irreverent son.
"You've got them still, then ?" said Ainger.

"Very well, they can stay now till after you've been to the doctor.