distance, but, if cornered by them, could put up a fairly good show.
Small boys, however, filled him with a sort of frozen horror. It was
his view that a boy should not be exhibited publicly until he reached
an age when he might be in the running for some sort of colours at a
public school.

Edward was one of those well-informed small boys. He opened on Mike
with the first mouthful.

'Do you know the principal exports of Marseilles?' he inquired.

'What?' said Mike coldly.

'Do you know the principal exports of Marseilles? I do.'

'Oh?' said Mike.

'Yes. Do you know the capital of Madagascar?'

Mike, as crimson as the beef he was attacking, said he did not.

'I do.'

'Oh?' said Mike.

'Who was the first king--'

'You mustn't worry Mr Jackson, Teddy,' said Mr Waller, with a touch of
pride in his voice, as who should say 'There are not many boys of his
age, I can tell you, who _could_ worry you with questions like