tell. Already
his head began to ache and he felt weary and listless.

He was left to work alone, for Mr. Badger usually indulged himself in
the luxury of an after-dinner nap, lasting till at least three o'clock.

As he was plodding along suddenly he heard his name called in a cheery
voice:

"Hello, Bill!"

Looking up, he saw Dick Schmidt, the son of a neighbor, a good-natured
boy, whom he looked upon as almost his only friend.

"Hello, Dick!" he responded.

"You're looking pale. Bill," said his friend. "What's the matter?"

"I don't feel very well, Dick."

"You ought not to be at work. Have you had dinner?"

"I am not to have any."

"Why not?" asked Dick, opening his eyes. "I knew old Badger was mean,
but I didn't think he was mean enough for that!"

"It's a punishment," Bill explained.

"What for?"

"For hitting Andrew Jackson with a hoe and knocking him down."

"Did you do that, Bill?" exclaimed Dick in great delight, for he
disliked Mr. Badger's petted heir. "I didn't think it was in you! Shake
hands, old fellow, and tell me all about it."

"I am afraid it was wicked, Dick, but I couldn't help it. I must have
hurt him, for he screamed very loud."

"Better and better! I know how he treats you, Bill, and I tell you it'll
do him good--the young tyrant! But you haven't told me about it."

Bill told the story, to which Dick listened with earnest attention. He
expressed hearty approval of Bill's course and declared that he would
have done the same.

"So you are in disgrace," he said. "Never mind. Bill. It'll all come out
right. It is worth something to have punished that young bully. But
what's the matter, Bill? What makes you so pale?"

"I think it's going without my dinner. The hard work makes me hungry."

"Just wait a minute. I'll be back in a jiffy!"

Dick was off like a shot. When he returned he brought with him two
slices of bread and butter, a slice of cold meat and two apples.

"Eat 'em, Bill," he said. "They'll make you feel better."

"Oh, Dick! I didn't want to trouble you so much."

"It was no trouble, old fellow."

"What will your mother say to your taking all this?"

"She'll be glad of it. She isn't so mean as Mrs. Badger. I say, Bill,
you must come over and take supper with us some time. There's plenty to
eat at our house."

"I should like to, Dick, if Mr. Badger would let me."

"Don't talk any more till you have eaten what I brought you."

Bill obeyed his friend's direct