wave of rebellion outside, and you're nothing more
important than the foam on the crest of the wave. Look here, you're
a magnificent swimmer, the best in the school by a long way"--thus
came the word of praise for which I had hungered so long--"well, a
good swimmer will go out and breast the wave."

As he said it, he laid his hand gently upon my shoulder, and I felt,
as I did once before, that in his peculiar sacramental touch there
was something given by him and taken by me.

"But, sir," I said, desiring to justify myself, "I couldn't help
thinking that Mr. Fillet did it on purpose to pay me out."

Radley frowned. "You mustn't say such things. But, were it so, any
fool can be resentful, while it takes a big man to sacrifice himself
and his petty quarrels for the good of great numbers. You will do it
to save the school from hurt. I have always believed you big enough
for these things."

My answer must have showed Radley how sadly I was less than his
estimate of me.

"But, sir, if I turn back now they'll say I funked."

"Exactly; then go out and face their abuse. Go out and get hurt. I'm
determined your life shall be big, so begin now by learning to stand
buffeting. Besides, Ray, does it matter to a strong swimmer if the
wave beats against him?"

I answered nothing, but gazed out of the window. And Radley shot
another appeal--a less lofty one, but it flew home. Arrows pierce
deeper, if they don't soar too high.

"Ray, _they'll_ say you funked your master, if you don't go up to
Mr. Fillet's study; _I_ shall say you funked the boys, if you don't
go out to them. You must choose between their contempt and mine."

I looked down at my boots.

"Which would you rather have, their contempt or mine?"

"Theirs, sir."

Radley was quite moved when I answered him thus; and it was a little
while before he proceeded:

"I might have stopped your access to Mr. Fillet's study by telling
you that the head master was waiting for you there. But I wanted you
to stop from your own high motives, and not from fear. Come along
now; we'll go together."

We ascended the stairs to the study and entered. Salome at once
raised his long figure from his seat and, pointing at my tie, said:

"Ee, bless me, my man, you're very slovenly; put your tie straight."

I blushed and did so.

Then he turned to Radley.

"Did you find him in the right disposition?"

"Yes, sir."

It would not have been I if at this "Yes, sir" of Radley's my