, "that won't do a bit, you know.
It's against the rules, and besides," jerking his head in the direction
of the gasoline can, "you have n't any sense."

Ronald's emotions were beyond the power of words to relieve. As he
stood glaring at Armitage, his face devoid of color, his eyes green
with anger, the chauffeur placed his hand gently upon his arm.

"You can't smoke here, I tell you. There 's a notice over there to
that effect signed by your father. Now throw that cigarette away; or
go out of here with it, as you like."

By way of reply, Ronald jerked his arm from Armitage's grasp and swung
at his face with open hand. It was a venomous slap, but it did not
come within a foot of the mark for the reason that Jack deftly caught
the flailing arm by the wrist and with a powerful twist brought young
Wellington almost to his knees through sheer pain of the straining
tendons. As this happened, the younger brother with a shrill cry of
rage launched himself at Armitage, who caught him by the waist and
swung him easily up into the tonneau of the touring car.

Ronald had risen to his feet and in cold passion was casting his eye
about the garage. A heavy wrench lay on the floor; he stepped towards
it, but not too quickly for Armitage to interpose. Slowly the latter
raised his finger until it was on a level with the boy's face.

"Now, stop just a minute and think," he said. "I like your spirit, and
yours, too, kid," he added, gazing up at the tonneau from which the
younger Wellington was glaring down like a bellicose young tiger, "but
this won't go at all. Now wait," as Ronald tried to brush past. "In
the first place, if your mother hears you have been smoking in the
garage--or anywhere else--you 'll get into trouble with her, so Ryan
has told me. And I don't believe that's any fun. . . . Now--listen,
will you? I am employed here as physical instructor for you chaps, not
as a chauffeur--although your sister has been good enough to press me
into service for a day or two--and I imagine I 'm going to draw pay for
making you into something else than thin-chested cigarette fiends. I
can do it, if you 'll help. How about it?" he said, smiling at Ronald.
"Will you be friends?"

Ronald, who had worked out of his passion, sniffed.

"Thank you, I had rather not, if you don't mind. I think you will find
that you don't like your place."

"Well," said Armitage affably, "then I can leave, you know."

"Yes, you can, all r