d Dick.

"He isn't as bad as his wife or Andrew Jackson."

"That's so! Andrew is a mean boy. I'm glad you hit him."

"I am sorry, Dick."

"Don't you think he deserved it?"

"Yes, but I don't like to be the one to do it."

"I wouldn't mind it," said Dick, "but he's precious careful not to get
into any muss with me."

"You're not bound to Mr. Badger."

"If I were, he wouldn't dare to order me round. Catch him bulldozing
me!"

"You're more plucky than I am, Dick."

"You're too good-natured, Bill--that's what's the matter with you."

"I hate fighting, Dick."

"What did Andrew say to you when you came home from work?"

"He wanted me to go down on my knees and beg his pardon for hitting
him."

"Why didn't you knock him down?" said Dick quickly.

"I told him I'd do it----"

_"What!"_ exclaimed Dick Schmidt in the deepest disgust.

"If he'd beg my pardon first for striking me with a whip."

"That's better. I thought you wouldn't be so much of a coward as to beg
his pardon."

"He didn't accept the offer," said Bill, smiling.

"No, I suppose not. Was he mad?"

"He looked as if he was. He called me a saucy beggar and threatened to
tell his father."

"I've no doubt he will. He's just mean enough to do that. I say. Bill,
it's a pity you don't work for my father."

"I wish I did, Dick, but perhaps you'd boss me, too."

"Not much danger. We'd be like brothers."

While this conversation was going on the two boys were walking across
the fields to Mr. Schmidt's farm. The distance was not great, and by
this time they were at the back door.

As they went in Bill's eyes glistened as he saw a nice supper laid on
the kitchen table, waiting for him, for Dick had told his mother of the
guest he expected. He decided to say nothing of the circumstances that
led to the invitation. He might safely have done so, however, for Mrs.
Schmidt was a good, motherly woman, who pitied the boy and understood
very well that his position in Mr. Badger's family must be a very
disagreeable one.

"I am glad to see you, William," she said. "Sit right down and eat
supper. I've got a hot cup of tea for you."

"I'll sit down, too, mother. I only ate a little supper, for I wanted to
keep Bill company."

Presently the boys went to bed and had a social chat before going to
sleep.

"I wish," said Dick, "I could be where I could look on when old Badger
goes up to your room and finds the bird flown."

If Dick could have been there,