9PAT CAME SWINGING ALONG; in his hand he held a little tomahawk that winked in the sun.
"Come with me," he said to the children, "and I'll show you how the kings of Ireland chop the head off a duck."
They drew back–they didn't believe him, and besides, the Trout boys had never seen Pat before.
"Come on now," he coaxed, smiling and holding out his hand to Kezia.
"Is it a real duck's head? One from the paddock?"
"It is," said Pat. She put her hand in his hard dry one, and he stuck the tomahawk in his belt and held out the other to Rags. He loved little children.
"I'd better keep hold of Snooker's head if there's going to be any blood about," said Pip, "because the sight of blood makes him awfully wild." He ran ahead dragging Snooker by the handkerchief.
"Do you think we ought to go?"
