I don't want to ... I only want to save myself--and I can't
stand it any longer. Why should you stand between me and my rights in
this currish way? I didn't know there were boys like you in the world,
sir; you're a young monster!"

"I don't mean you to tell the Doctor anything at all," said Chawner. "I
shall do what I said."

"Then do your worst!" said Paul, stung to defiance.

"Very well, then," returned Chawner meekly, "I will--and we'll see who
wins!"

And they went back to the schoolroom again, where Mr. Bultitude, boiling
with rage and seriously alarmed as well, tried to sit down and appear as
if nothing had happened.

Chawner sat down too, in a place from which he could see all Paul's
movements, and they both watched one another anxiously from the corners
of their eyes till the Doctor came in.

"It's a foggy evening," he said as he entered: "the younger boys had
better stay in. Chawner, you and the rest of the first form can go to
church; get ready at once."

Paul's heart leaped with triumph; with his enemy out of the way, he
could carry out his purpose unhindered. The same thing apparently
occurred to Chawner, for he said mildly, "Please, sir, may Richard
Bultitude come too?"

"Can't Bultitude ask leave for himself?" said the Doctor.

"I, sir!" said the horrified Paul, "it's a mistake--I don't want to go.
I--I don't feel very well this evening!"

"Then you see, Chawner, you misunderstood him. By the way, Bultitude,
there was something you were to tell me, I think?"

Chawner's small glittering eyes were fixed on Paul menacingly as he
managed to stammer that he did want to say something in private.

"Very well, I am going out to see a friend for an hour or so--when I
come back I will hear you," and he left the room abruptly.

Chawner would very probably have petitioned to stay in that evening as
well, had he had time and presence of mind to do so; as it was, he was
obliged to go away and get ready for church, but when his preparations
were made he came back to Paul, and leaning over him said with an
unpleasant scowl, "If I get back in time, Bultitude, we'll see whether
you baulk me quite so easily. If I come back and find you've done it--I
shall take in that letter!"

"You may do what you please then," said Paul, in a high state of
irritation, "I shall be well out of your reach by that time. Now have
the goodness to take yourself off."

As he went, Mr. Bultitude thought, "I never in all my life s