a heavy, slow fellow, but on this occasion he
was quick as lightning, and, turning sharply to Distin, who looked pale
and nervous at the result of his passionate act.

"You might have given the dictionary to him, Distin," he said, in a
reproachful tone. "Don't do books any good to throw 'em."

"Quite right, Mr Macey, quite right," said the rector, blandly, as he
moved slowly to the arm-chair at the end of the table. "Really,
gentlemen, you startled me. I was afraid that the book was intended for
me, hum--ha! in disgust because I was so late."

"Oh, no, sir," cried Distin, with nervous eagerness.

"Of course not, my dear Distin, of course not. An accident--an error--
of judgment. Good for the binders, no doubt, but not for the books.
And I have an affection for books--our best friends."

He subsided into his chair as he spoke.

"Pray forgive me for being so late. A little deputation from the town,
Mr Rounds, my churchwarden; Mr Dodge, the people's. A little question
of dispute calling for a gentle policy on my part, and--but, no matter;
it will not interest you, neither does it interest me now, in the face
of our studies. Mr Macey, shall I run over your paper now?"

Macey made a grimace at Vane, as he passed his paper to the rector; and,
as it was taken, Vane glanced at Distin, and saw that his lips were
moving as he bent over his Greek. Vane saw a red spot in each of his
sallow cheeks, and a peculiar twitching about the corners of his eyes,
giving the lad a nervous, excitable look, and making Vane remark,--

"What a pity it all is. Wish he couldn't be so easily put out. He
can't help it, I suppose, and I suppose I can. There, he shan't quarrel
with me again. I suppose I ought to pitch into him for throwing the
book at my head, but I could fight him easily, and beat him, and, if I
did, what would be the good? I should only make him hate me instead of
disliking me as he does. Bother! I want to go on with my Greek."

He rested his head upon his hands determinedly, and, after a great deal
of effort, managed to condense his thoughts upon the study he had in
hand; and when, after a long morning's work, the rector smilingly
complimented him upon his work, he looked up at him as if he thought it
was meant in irony.

"Most creditable, sir, most creditable; and I wish I could say the same
to you, my dear Macey. A little more patient assiduity--a little more
solid work for your own sake, and for mine. D