bly hoped bygone, days of my extravagance. Not even a broken arm or
a dangerous fever will wipe off old scores.

Wallop rather enjoyed going through the catalogue of my debts.

"Then there's Tucker, the pastrycook, wants half-a-sov. at the very
least, and Weeden, the tobacconist, a florin for mild cigarettes, and--"

"Yes, yes," I said; "I know all about it, and I'm going to pay them
all."

"That's a good job," remarked Wallop, "and the sooner you tell them all
so the better. They'd all like to have your present address."

"I'm not sure that that would console them much," said Crow. "It's
rather a shadier place than the old one."

"Yes, when you come to think of it, a fellow would get a bit shy when he
read the address, `care of Tom Jailbird, Esquire, Up a Slum, Drury
Lane.'"

"Look here!" cried I, suddenly starting up; "don't you call my friend
names, please."

Nothing could have delighted the genial pair more than my excitement.
They greeted my protest with laughter, and winking at one another,
continued to talk among themselves.

"Good practice, I should think. Crow, living with a chap like that--get
used to prison fare. Come all the easier later on."

"Wonder if they practise picking one another's pockets to keep their
hands in, of an evening."

"I'm told that jailbird has got an album full of tickets-of-leave."

"Ah! His father must have travelled a good bit in his time."

It was pitiful, paltry jesting, but it was more than I could stand.

"Will you stop?" I shouted.

"Nobody was speaking to you," said Wallop.

"You were speaking of my friend!" I exclaimed.

"More shame to you for chumming up with such disreputable lot," said
Crow.

"Do you hear? stop it!" I shouted.

"We'll stop it," said Wallop, "when--"

I did not wait to hear more, but rushed upon the speaker.

The upshot might have been serious for me in my present weak condition,
and being one against two. But before my blow could be returned
Hawkesbury, who had so far been a silent witness to the scene, sprang
from his place and pulled me away. I struggled to get free, but he held
me firm, as he said, "Batchelor, don't be foolish. You two, be quiet,
will you, or I must report you to my uncle. Fighting is not allowed in
here."

"I didn't want to fight," said Wallop, putting up his hand to his
smarting cheek, "but I'll have it out with him."

"Young prig!" growled Crow, savagely.

"You hear what I say," said Hawkesb