The freed animal, startled, kicked out, shook his head, and
cantered gaily homewards. Glyde, having Ingram on the ground, took him by
the collar of his jacket and belaboured him with his open hand. He cuffed
him like a schoolboy, boxed him about the ears and face, shook him well,
and then cast him into the young bracken of his own avenue. "There's for
you, seducer," he said; and that done, he walked steadily up the road
towards the lodge gates.
Ingram, on his feet, in a rage which was the most manly he could have
suffered, went after him at a run, and caught him up. "You blackguard," he
said, and panted. "Turn and fight with me."
Glyde stopped. "I'll not fight with you, Ingram," was his measured reply,
"because I've that in me which would kill you. No mercy for you there. You
can go as you please; you can send me to gaol or not; but you shan't get
me hanged. I've something to do with my life--as much of it as you leave
me; and I want it." As Ingram glared at him, crimson now, with bulging
eyes and teeth at lips, the other went on. "I'm going no farther to-day
than my lodging. Your police will find me there when you send 'em. I
shan't fight them, because I can't afford it; and I shan't fight you, dog
that you are, for the same reason.
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