Early School Days 



the open door with wondering faces, naturally unable to make 

 out what on earth was happening. But they were soon to be 

 enlightened, for Maunsell, who was watching his opportunity, 

 as the horse stopped, finally landed a decisive blow on his 

 brother's temple, knocking him right out of the phaeton to the 

 ground, where he lay stunned. And so ended the " four-mile 

 fight." 



But when servants and all hastened to rescue the vanquished 

 warrior, it was a very different Maunsell who stood there, 

 repentant, when he saw what he had done ; and it was a 

 tearful small boy who later looked sadly on, while two angry 

 ladies tended the swelling temple, and tried to mitigate the 

 blackening eye of his brother, and ease his aching head. Next 

 morning all was peace again, and through those summer holidays 

 I do not remember another really serious fight between my 

 brothers. Generally, however, in any scrimmage, jovial or 

 serious, Maunsell came off the victor. 



I can remember once only during their childhood and 

 boyhood my eldest brother getting the better in a quarrel, and 

 then it was partly an accident that ended the fight, the end 

 being that Maunsell's head was jammed through the dining- 

 room window. A fine scolding Willie had for it too, though 

 quite possibly he had been in the right, for it was a rooted idea 

 with our elders that Maunsell would have a fit if he were 

 whipped, or generally cornered in any shape or form, such as 

 had then happened by the window incident. 



But these brotherly fights, like lovers' quarrels, left no 

 bitterness in their train, for the two boys were as good friends 

 after one of their " sets-to " as they were before, possibly 

 better, if the truth were known. As small children they shared 

 their toys together, then their ponies, and later their horses — 

 in fact, everything; and were more like twins than brothers 



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