te paused. Bullying, even in fun, was a horrible idea. The books
fell limply to his side.

"Be sensible, if you can, Doe. You've got to play this evening."

The change in White's voice prompted Doe to raise his head and look
up from under his arm at his attacker.

"Great Scott, Ray," he blurted out. "If it's not an Iguanodon, it's
a prehistoric animal of some sort."

"My hat!" exclaimed White. "You young devil! Put that hand down
while I smite you over the head with these books." And he made as
though to execute his threat. Doe accordingly retired still further
down into his chair, and placed his elbow to ward off the swinging
books.

"I didn't say it, White, you liar! Shut up, will you? You might hurt
me seriously. Go away. I hate you! Oh, hang it!"--(this was when the
books struck him on the elbow),--"it hurts, Moles. Leave off, while
I rub my elbow."

The gentle giant responded to this reasonable request; the books
dropped; and Doe, looking reproachfully at his executioner, set
about massaging his elbow.

"Ray," he said, when the operation was complete, "is there any known
means of removing this nightmare?"

Immediately his uplifted arm was seized in White's huge paw. Doe's
eyes were sparkling, his cheeks red, and his hair tumbled. His right
arm being now held, he laughed more loudly and nervously and raised
his left.

"By Jove, White," he cried, "if you rouse my ire, I'll get up and
lick you. Let go of my hand--it's not yours. Oh, shut up, you great
swine! Hang it, Ray"--(this with a shriek, half of laughter, half of
anticipation)--"he's got my left hand as well--O, White, I'm sorry."

White held both his victim's wrists in one hand. Too honourable to
take advantage of this, he swung his books at a distance and said:

"You've got to play at the nets, do you hear?"

My friend simulated anger. Struggling to get free, he ejaculated:

"I'll not be ordered about by an Iguanodon. I'm not that sort of
man. O, White, I said I was--he, he, ha!--sorry. I didn't mean to be
rude. I didn't see it in that light--"

"Whack" came the books gently on his back.

"Oh, please, Moles White, please stop. There's a dear old Iguanodon.
Ow--Ow--Ow!"

By this time Doe was much out of breath, and his sentences were
short and broken: "It doesn't hurt. It's lovely! Ray, don't stand
there grinning like this chimpanzee, White."

Suddenly at an upward swing the slender strap broke, and the books
crashed through the window.