mstrong came along, feeling decidedly compromised, but yet a
little grateful to his loyal adherent.

As usual he dropped into his seat at the foot of the table after a bow
to Miss Oliphant, and a friendly nod to Tom.

Jill, to her consternation, found a seat carefully reserved for her next
to Mr Ratman. Her impulse on making the discovery was to run; but a
glance at Mr Armstrong, who sat watching her in a friendly way,
reassured her. To gain time she went round the table and kissed every
one (including the tutor), and especially the hero of the day, whom she
artfully tried to persuade, in honour of the occasion, to make room for
her next to himself. But when that transparent little artifice failed,
she bridled up and marched boldly to the inevitable.

"Well, little puss," said Mr Ratman, "haven't you got a kiss for me?"

"No," she replied. "Father says I'm to be civil to you, so I'll say
good-morning; but I don't mean it a bit; and I still think you're a
horrid, bad man, though I don't say so. I'm not a bit afraid of you,
either, because Mr Armstrong is here to punish you if you behave
wickedly."

Tom, as usual, improved matters with a loud laugh.

"Good old Jilly!" cried he; "let him have it! Sit on his head! He's
got no friends! Never you mind, Ratman--she doesn't--"

"Silence, sir?" thundered his father, "or leave the table instantly."

Tom subsided promptly.

"And you, Jill," continued her father, "do not speak till you're spoken
to."

Jill looked down at Mr Armstrong to see if he counselled further
resistance; but as he was studiously busy with the ham, she capitulated,
and said--

"Then I hope no one will speak to me, because I don't want to talk."

Mr Ratman made an effort to turn the incident off with a laugh, and
addressed his further remarks to his host. But as that gentleman found
some difficulty in being cordial, and as the rest of the party continued
to enjoy the meal without paying much attention to him, he was on the
whole relieved when the performance came to an end.

On his way to the captain's room, afterwards, he encountered Mr
Armstrong.

The two men glared at one another in a hostile manner for a moment, and
then the tutor observed casually that it was a cold day.

"It will be hotter before it's much older," growled the late owner of a
certain black eye.

"I can well believe that," said the tutor drily.

"Yes, sir, I shall have something to say to you."

"Delighted, I