CHAPTER X. PHILIP MEETS HIS MATCH
Though it would have been possible for the Gilberts to get along nowwithout help from Harry's earnings, his desire to obtain employment wasquite as great as before.
As he had no place in view, he continued to go to the berry field everyday, supplying his mother with what she needed, and disposing of therest to Mr. Mead.
The field in which he had at first picked being nearly exhausted, hebent his steps in another direction, where he learned that there wasstill a good supply. The field belonged to a Mr. Hammond, a substantialfarmer, who had no objections to the berries being picked, but requiredparties to obtain his permission.
As Mr. Hammond was understood to be very well to do, Mrs. Ross and herson condescended to associate with him and his family on equal terms.
On the particular morning when Harry sought the field, Philip wascrossing the pasture on his way to a river, where he kept a rowboat, when he espied two children, Tommy and Rose Perkins, picking berries.
They were children of eight and ten, and it occurred to Philip that hehad a fine chance to bully them, in the name of Mr. Hammond.
Striding up to them, with an air of authority, he said:
"Look here, you children, what business have you in this field?"
"It isn't yours, is it?" asked Tommy, independently.
"It belongs to my friend, Mr. Hammond," said Philip. "He don't allow allthe loafers in town here."
"Tommy and I are not loafers," said Rose.
"All the same, you are trespassing on Mr. Hammond's pasture. Come, clearout."
"Mr. Hammond gave us leave to come here, and I don't see what businessit is of yours," said Tommy.
"I don't believe he gave you permission at all, and I'll let you knowwhat business it is of mine, you little rascal," said Philip, in abullying tone.
Luckily for Tommy and Rose, there was a friend near at hand, who was notdisposed to see them abused. Harry Gilbert had reached the bars betweenthe berry pasture and the next field in time to hear Philip's attempt tobully the young brother and sister.
"Just like Philip," he thought, with a feeling of disgust. "He is alwaystrying to bully those younger than himself, especially if they arepoor."
Tommy and Rose were the children of a widow, no better off than Mrs.
Gilbert, and Harry felt a greater sympathy for them on that account.
Meanwhile, Philip, not aware that there was help at hand, continued hispersecutions.
"Well, are you going to clear out?" he demanded, in a threatening tone.
"No," said Tommy. "Mr. Hammond said we might pick berries here, and youhave no right to touch us."
"I'll show you whether I have or not," said Philip, in his mostdominating tone.
He drew back his foot, and deliberately kicked over the children'spails, one after the other. Probably there was not more than a pint ineither pail, as the children had just commenced picking, but it wascertainly aggravating.
Rose began to cry, while Tommy, his face turning red, said:
"I wish I was big enough; I'd make you sorry for what you have done."
"I see I shall have to give you a lesson," said Philip. "I'll teach youto be impudent to me."
He advanced toward Tommy in a threatening manner, and Harry thought ittime to interfere.
"Don't touch that boy, you contemptible bully!" he exclaimed, indignantly, hurrying to the scene of conflict.
"Oh, Harry, make him stop," exclaimed Tommy, in joyful tones.
"I will," said Harry, resolutely.
Philip Ross was very much annoyed by the unexpected arrival of Harry, whom he had never been able to intimidate, and would gladly have slunkaway if pride had not hindered.
"You'd better take care what you say," he rejoined, in a surly tone.
"And you had better take care what you do," returned Harry, manfully.
"Why have you been interfering with these poor children?"
"I am not responsible to you for what I do," said Philip, angrily. "Theyare trespassing on this field, and I ordered them off."
"By what right? You don't own it."
"My friend, Mr. Hammond, does."
Here Tommy explained that Mr. Hammond had given them permission to pickberries.
"I don't believe it," said Philip, "and I've no doubt you aretrespassing, too."
"Perhaps you'd like to serve me the same way," suggested Harry.
"I'll leave Mr. Hammond to kick you out himself."
"That is more prudent. Stop! where are you going?" for Philip wasstarting to leave them.
"I don't like the company I'm in. I'm going to leave you to enjoy eachother's society."
"Not yet," said Harry.
"Can't you spare me?" sneered Philip.
"Not till you have picked up the berries you have upset."
"Do you mean to insult me?" demanded Philip, angrily.
"No; I am only demanding what is reasonable and right. You upset theberries, and it is only fair you should pick them up."
"Pick them up yourself!" said Philip.
Again he started away, but Harry planted himself resolutely in hispath.
"You must pick up those berries or fight me," he said.
"Keep away from me, you beggar!" screamed Philip.
"Once more, will you pick up those berries?"
"No, I won't!"
Harry's only answer was to seize Philip round the middle, and, despitehis struggles, to lay him down on the ground.
"You'll suffer for this!" said Philip, almost screaming with rage.
"You can go now," said Harry, contemptuously, "and take care how youinterfere with Tommy and Rose again."
Philip rose from the ground, angry and humiliated, yet not daring toattack Harry, whom he knew to be his superior in strength.
"You haven't heard the last of this," he said, shaking his fist.
Harry deigned no reply, and Philip, instead of keeping on his way to theriver, turned and walked homeward.
Harry helped the children pick up their berries, and remained with themthrough the forenoon.