It says that is why I am allowed to be here and to
talk with you both; for their sakes rather than for my own."
"If you have more to say you had better say it quickly," I interrupted,
addressing the Red-faced Man. "I see that the Lights are beginning to
change, which means that soon the Road will be closed and the Gates
opened."
"I can't remember anything," he answered. "Yes, there is one matter," he
added nervously. "I see, Mr. Hare, that you are thinking of my boy Tom,
not very kindly I am afraid. As you have been so good as to forgive me I
hope that you won't be hard on Tom. He is not at all a bad sort of a lad
if a little thoughtless, like many other young people."
"I don't like Tom," said the Hare, with decision. "Tom shot me when you
told him not to shoot. Tom shut me up in a filthy place with a yellow
rabbit which he forgot to feed, so that it wanted to eat me. Tom tried
to cut me off from the wood so that the running dogs might catch me,
although you shouted to him that it was not sportsmanlike. Tom dragged
me out of the sea and blew down my nostrils to keep me alive. Tom threw
me to the hounds, although Giles remonstrated with him and even the
huntsman begged him to let me go. I tell you that I don't like Tom."
"Still, Mr. Hare," pleaded the Red-faced Man, "I hope that if it should
be in your power when we get through those Gates, that you will be
merciful to Tom. I can't think of much to say for him in this hurry, but
there, he is my only son and the truth is that I love him.
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