d have been clear--it was intended to be."

Ratman tried hard to copy his adversary's composure, but failed
miserably.

With many imprecations, and, heedless of the tutor's maimed condition,
he threw himself upon him.

But Robert Ratman's boxing, like his running, was a trifle out of date,
and once more he found himself on his back regarding the clouds as they
flitted by overhead.

This time the tutor assumed the initiative.

"Get up," said he, advancing to his prostrate antagonist.

Ratman was surprised at himself when, after a moment's doubt, he obeyed.

"What's your name?" demanded Mr Armstrong, surveying him from head to
foot.

Again, by some curious mental process, Mr Ratman obeyed.

"What are you doing down here?"

"I am Captain Oliphant's guest," growled Ratman.

The tutor looked him up and down in a manner which was clearly not
calculated to imply admiration of Captain Oliphant's choice of friends.

"Allow me to tell you, sir, that in this part of the world we call men
like you blackguards."

And the tutor, whose eye-glass had become uncomfortably deranged during
this brief interview, screwed it in with a wrench, and turned on his
heel.

"Where's jolly old Ratman?" inquired Tom, when the family presently
assembled for breakfast.

"Tired with his journey, no doubt," said Mrs Ingleton.

As no one disputed this theory, and Jill's exchange of glances with her
champion passed unheeded, there seemed every prospect of the meal
passing off peaceably. But Tom, as usual, contrived to improve the
occasion in the wrong direction.

"You'll like him, Armstrong, when you see him. He's no end of a chap--
all larks. He'll make you roar with his rummy stories."

"I have met him already," said the tutor shortly.

"Then he is up. Jill, my child," said the captain, "go and knock at Mr
Ratman's door, and tell him breakfast is ready."

"I won't go near him," said Jill, flushing up. "He's a horrid, hateful
man. Isn't he, Mr Armstrong?"

Mr Armstrong, thus appealed to, looked a little uncomfortable, and
nodded.

"Yes," blurted the girl; "and if it hadn't been for Mr Armstrong,
father, he might have hurt me very much."

"Explain yourself," said the fond father, becoming interested.

"I don't want to talk about him," said Jill.

"What does all this mean, Armstrong?"

"As far as I am concerned, it means that I took the liberty of knocking
Mr Ratman down for insulting your daughter. I am sorry you we