Rob seldom commanded , but when he did Master Ted had to give in . His temper was up , and Rob 's masterful tone made it impossible to resist one cut at the rebellious dog before he submitted . Only a single blow , but it was a costly one ; for as it fell , the dog sprang at Ted with a snarl , and Rob , rushing between the two , felt the sharp teeth pierce his leg . A word made Don let go and drop remorsefully at Rob 's feet , for he loved him and was evidently sorry to have hurt his friend by mistake . With a forgiving pat Rob left him , to limp to the barn followed by Ted , whose wrath was changed to shame and sorrow when he saw the red drops on Rob 's sock and the little wounds in his leg . ` I 'm awfully sorry . Why did you get in the way ? Here , wash it up , and I 'll get a rag to tie on it , ' he said quickly filling a sponge with water and pulling out a very demoralized handkerchief . Rob usually made light of his own mishaps and was over ready to forgive if others were to blame ; but now he sat quite still , looking at the purple marks with such a strange expression on his white face that Ted was troubled , though he added with a laugh : ` Why , you 're not afraid of a little dig like that , are you , Bobby ? ' ' I am afraid of hydrophobia . But if Don is mad I 'd rather be the one to have it , ' answered Rob , with a smile and a shiver . At that dreadful word Ted turned whiter than his brother , and , dropping sponge and handkerchief , stared at him with a frightened face , whispering in a tone of despair : ` Oh , Rob , do n't say it ! What shall we do , what shall we do ? ' ` Call Nan ; she will know . Do n't scare Aunty , or tell a soul but Nan ; she 's on the back piazza ; get her out here as quick as you can . I 'll wash it till she comes . Maybe it 's nothing ; do n't look so staggered , Ted . I only thought it might be , as Don is queer . ' Rob tried to speak bravely ; but Ted 's long legs felt strangely weak as he hurried away , and it was lucky he met no one , for his face would have betrayed him . Nan was swinging luxuriously in a hammock , amusing herself with a lively treatise on croup , when an agitated boy suddenly clutched her , whispering , as he nearly pulled her overboard : ` Come to Rob in the barn !
XXXXX 's mad and he 's bitten him , and we do n't know what to do ; it 's all my fault ; no one must know .
Aunty Bobby Don Nan Rob Ted croup left mishaps snarl