There, it's all right," cried Nic.

"But don't you think I should go and tell tales.

My father would, of course, be put out,--but flog you! He doesn't look the sort of man to flog his people, does he ?" The man looked at him curiously.

Then, drawing back sharply, his manner changed, and he began to look sullen, as he said in a morose voice: "Didn't your father say anything to you about me ?" "No." "Didn't he tell you what I was, sir ?" "No," said Nic, with's suspicion now dawning on his mind.

"You are his stock man, are you not ?" "Stock man?
No: Brookes is his stock man.