id a large over-ripe
gooseberry which smashed as it struck me in the ear and began to trickle
down.

I was in such a rage that the roar of laughter from my two tyrants half
maddened me, and I watered that celery in a way that washed some of the
roots quite bare.

They were waiting for me when I got back to the tub, and, emboldened by
the patient way in which I bore their insults, they kept on pelting me
with the over-ripe fruit till I had it in my hair, my eyes, and down
within the collar of my shirt.

I ground my teeth with rage, and felt that I could bear it no longer,
but I made no sign.

Then they pelted me with words too, inventing ridiculous names, asking
me about the workhouse food, and at last I determined to bear it no
longer, but go straight up to the house and show Sir Francis the state I
was in and beg him to put a stop to this annoyance.

But just then it flashed upon my mind that Sir Francis and her ladyship
had gone out the day before to stay somewhere for a fortnight, and this
explained the boldness of the two young ruffians, who had never behaved
so outrageously before.

"If I go and tell Mr Solomon," I thought, "he will only tell me I was
foolish to take any notice;" and at last, writhing with annoyance, I
emptied the barrel and trundled it down to the pond, hoping to leave my
tormentors behind.

But no; they followed me and continued their assaults as soon as they
had replenished their caps with the gooseberries that were abundant on
the bushes, over-ripe many of them, and of monstrous size.

"Did you ever see such a coward?" said Philip.

"Like all these paupers," cried Courtenay. "Ha! ha! ha! right in the
ear."

I stamped with rage for his words were true about his aim, though I did
not feel cowardly, for I was working hard to do my duty and keep my
hands from my assailants.

"Give him one in the eye," said Philip. "Bet you twopence, Court, I hit
him first in the eye."

They went on pelting and I went on filling my barrel, dipping with the
bucket and pouring it in, and a dozen times over it was all I could do
to keep from discharging the contents of the pail in Courtenay's face.

Full at last, and I was ready to go up the garden again.

I glanced round in the hope of seeing Mr Solomon or Bunce or one of the
other gardeners; but they were all busy in the upper gardens, while I
was quite shut in here with my tormentors.

"Here, let's get some more shot, Court," cried Philip. "I'