Apparently, humiliating him was Mable's idea of fun.  Edmund should have figured that out long ago, not that it would have stopped her.

The next thing Francis said made him pause again, brushing hair from his face and sending his sister a hard look.

"I don't know what she told you, but I talk to her a fine amount.  And I don't dismiss her, I don't know where she got that from."

"You dismissed me when I asked about the baton," Mable piped up.  Edmund blinked at Francis and then at her.

"That's not something you should be concerned about, Mable."

The girl crossed her arms.  "I shouldn't be concerned when you've been attacked, that's what you're saying?"

"Yes you were, don't lie!  Francis said you were, and you told him."

Edmund stared at her for a moment before he looked to Francis, questioning and cautious.

"You told her?"