But I
could take you by the heels and dip you in the horse-pond round the
corner if I felt that way. So you'd better keep as civil as possible. It
won't make a mite of difference to me, but it may to you."
Bunny sat down, breathing hard. His cigarette fell to the ground and he
stooped for it, but Jake, still holding his shoulder, stooped also,
picked it up and flung it straight out of the window.
"You smoke too many of 'em," he said, as he did it.
"Damn you!" said Bunny in a voice of concentrated fury.
He would have sprung to his feet, but Jake's hands were upon him like
iron clamps and kept him seated.
He spoke, his voice soft, unhurried, even humorous. "I'm only a beastly
groom, you know, Bunny. You don't expect good manners from me, do you?"
Bunny shrank a little, as if something in the words pierced him. Jake's
eyes, very bright but wholly free from anger looked straight into his.
For some reason he ceased to strain against the compelling hands and sat
passive.
There followed a somewhat tense silence before he said, "Well, go on! I
knew you wanted to row me about something. What's it all about?"
His voice was sullen but his attitude was no longer hostile. He looked
ashamed.
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