"Look out, ladies!" he shouted. "See fair play!"
Mrs. Bubb vented her emotions in "Oh my!" and "Did you ever!" with
little screams of excitement verging on sheer laughter. It avenged
her delightfully to see Miss Sparkes gripped by the waist and
hoisted for removal. But Mrs. Clover was evidently possessed by very
different feelings. Drawing back, as if in alarm or shame, a glow on
each cheek, she uttered an involuntary cry of protest.
"No, Mr. Gammon, I can't have that!"
It was doubtful whether the champion heard, for he unmistakably had
his work set. Tooth and nail Polly contested every inch of ground.
One moment her little fists were pummelling Gammon in the face, the
next she tugged at his hair. Then again she scratched and kicked
simultaneously, her voice meanwhile screaming insult and menace,
which must have been audible in the neighbours' houses.
"Stop!" entreated Mrs. Clover. "Put her down at once!" she
commanded. "Do you hear me, Mr. Gammon?"
Whether he did or not, the bold bagman paid no heed. He had at
length a firmer grip of Polly with one of her arms imprisoned.
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