Bultitude, annoyed to find his secret in
possession of this boy of all others.

"Yes," repeated Chawner. "I know, and I tell you what--I won't have it!"

"Won't have it! and why?"

"Never mind why. Perhaps I don't choose that the Doctor shall be told
just yet; perhaps I mean to go up and tell him myself some other day. I
want to have a little more fun out of it before I've done."

"But--but," said Paul, "you young ghoul, do you mean to say that all you
care for is to see other people's sufferings?"

Chawner grinned maliciously. "Yes," he said suavely; "it amuses me."

"And so," said Paul, "you want to hold me back a little longer--because
it's so funny; and then, when you're quite tired of your sport, you'll
go up and tell the Doctor my--my unhappy story yourself, eh? No, my
friend; I'd rather not tell him myself--but I'll be shot if I let _you_
have a finger in it. I know my own interests better than that!"

"Don't get in a passion, Dickie," said Chawner; "it's Sunday. You'll
have to let me go up instead of you--when I've frightened them a little
more."

"Who do you mean by them, sir?" said Paul, growing puzzled.

"As if you didn't know! Oh, you're too clever for me, Dickie, I can
see," sniggered Chawner.

"I tell you I don't know!" said Mr. Bultitude. "Look here, Chawner--your
confounded name is Chawner, isn't it?--there's a mistake somewhere, I'm
sure of it. Listen to me. I'm not going to tell the Doctor what you
think I am!"

"What do I think you are going to tell him?"

"I haven't the slightest idea; but, whatever it is, you're wrong."

"Ah, you're too clever, Dickie; you won't betray yourself; but other
people want to pay Coker and Tipping out as well as you, and I say you
must wait."

"I shan't say anything to affect anyone but myself," said Paul; "if you
know all about it, you must know that--it won't interfere with your
amusement that I can see."

"Yes, it will," said Chawner irritably, "it will--you mayn't mean to
tell of anyone but yourself; but directly Grimstone asks you questions,
it all comes out. I know all about it. And, anyway, I forbid you to go
up till I give you leave."

"And who the dooce are you?" said Mr. Bultitude, nettled at this
assumption of authority. "How are you going to prevent me, may I ask?"

"S'sh! here's the Doctor," whispered Chawner hurriedly. "I'll tell you
after tea. What am I doing out of my place, sir? Oh, I was only asking
Bultitude what was the collect fo