at once
exactly what was on his tongue, before considering the consequences. He
was just one of those lads who liked what is called a "row" as little as
did anyone, and sooner than sulk, or treasure up a fancied grievance, he
preferred to end the matter at once. Not by blows, for he was not
pugnacious either, but amicably, if possible, and if not--well in some
other way.

Frank, on the other hand, could never forget that he was the elder of
the two, and when Jack came home for the holidays a certain amount of
friction always arose, because the former attempted to control his
brother's actions.

"You can't do that," he would say, as Jack was on the point of saddling
his father's favourite hunter for a canter in the paddock. "You know
very well that Father does not allow anyone to ride Prince Charlie but
himself."

"Who told you that?" would be Jack's answer. "Did Father say so, or ask
you to see that no one rode the horse? Of course he didn't; Prince
Charlie's a bit fresh at times, and that's why Father does not like
anyone to ride him. But I have had him out before, and I am going to do
so again."

Jack was not exactly a wilful boy, but his brother's attempts to rule
him jarred his feelings. Had Captain Somerton told him he was not to
ride his horse, Jack would certainly have obeyed him. But when it
practically became a question as to whether he was to do as Frank said,
and thereby acknowledge a certain amount of authority on his part, it
was a different matter, and the opposition to his wishes very often
drove him to doing what he would otherwise not have done.

Day by day these petty squabbles were almost certain to occur, and as
the holidays neared the end they became even more frequent. One had
arisen on the evening in question. It was not a serious one, but had,
as usual, been caused by an attempt on Frank's part to order Jack about.

As a natural consequence Mrs Somerton had been put out, and had made
Frampton Grange so exceedingly uncomfortable for Jack that he had at
once gone to the stables, saddled his pony, and ridden through the
village, out into the country.

"Well, I shall be jolly glad when the 15th comes, and I get back to
school again," he said to himself as his pony walked slowly along the
road. "I wish things weren't quite so wretched at home. It would be
ripping if Frank were like Ted Humphreys, always jolly and ready for a
bit of fun, and not for ever nagging and advising me, o