If he is n't right tomorrow , we 'll take him to Dr Watkins and see what he says . ' And Rob went on watching the swallows as he lay in the hay polishing up some Latin verses he had made . The spirit of perversity entered into Ted , and merely because he was told not to tease Don he went on doing it , pretending that it was for the dog 's good . Don took no heed of his pats , commands , reproaches , or insults , till Ted 's patience gave out ; and seeing a convenient switch near by he could not resist the temptation to conquer the great hound by force , since gentleness failed to win obedience . He had the wisdom to chain Don up first ; for a blow from any hand but his master 's made him savage , and Ted had more than once tried the experiment , as the dog remembered . This indignity roused Don and he sat up with a growl . Rob heard it , and seeing Ted raise the switch , ran to interfere , exclaiming : ` Do n't touch him ! Dan forbade it ! Leave the poor thing in peace ; I wo n't allow it . ' 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 , XXXXX , do n't say it !
Bobby Dan Don Rob Ted first left mishaps pats snarl