ht,
young sir," he said: "have you any objection? mention it, you know, if
you have, pray mention it. It's a matter of life and death to me, but if
you at all disapprove, of course that ought to be final!"

"No, but," protested Biddlecomb, "I, I daresay I've not treated you very
well lately, I----"

"You were kind enough to suggest several very uncommonly unpleasant ways
of annoying me, sir," said Paul resentfully, "if you mean that. You've
kicked me more than once, and your handkerchief, unless I am very much
mistaken, had the biggest and the hardest knot in it yesterday. If that
gives you the right to interfere and dictate to me now, like your
amiable friend, Master Chawner, I suppose you have it."

"Now you're angry," said Biddlecomb humbly; "I don't wonder at it. I've
behaved like a cad, I know, but, and this is what I wanted to say, I was
sorry for you all the time."

"That's very comforting," said Paul drily; "thank you. I'm vastly
obliged to you."

"I was, though," said Biddlecomb. "I, I was led away by the other
fellows--I always liked you, you know, Bultitude."

"You've a very odd way of showing your affection," remarked Mr.
Bultitude; "but go on, let me hear all you have to say."

"It isn't much," said Biddlecomb, quite broken down; "only don't sneak
of me this time, Dick, let me off, there's a good fellow. I'll stick up
for you after this, I will really. You used not to be a fellow for
sneaking once. It's caddish to sneak!"

"Don't be alarmed, my good friend," said Paul; "I won't poach on that
excellent young man Chawner's preserves. What I am going to tell the
Doctor has nothing to do with you."

"On your honour?" said Biddlecomb eagerly.

"Yes," said Paul testily, "on my honour. Now, perhaps, you'll let me
alone. No, I won't shake hands, sir. I've had to accept your kicks, but
I don't want your friendship."

Biddlecomb went off, looking slightly ashamed of himself but visibly
relieved from a haunting fear. "Thank goodness!" thought Paul, "he
wasn't as obstinate as the other fellow. What a set they are! I knew it,
there's another boy coming up now!"

And indeed one boy after another came up in the same way as Biddlecomb
had done, some cringing more than others, but all vowing that they had
never intended to do any harm, and entreating him to change his mind
about complaining of his ill-treatment. They brought little offerings to
propitiate him and prove the depth of their unaltered
regard--pe