f
the other boys. His crestfallen, mortified look when he was recalled to
himself did not help him in the estimation of the teacher, who took it
as a sign of guilt; while Theodore, once freed from his assailant,
stood by as the martyr and peaceable boy who would not strike a blow,
even in self-defence. Rob, meanwhile, frightened by the consequences of
his disclosures to Jim, slunk off without waiting to bear testimony to
the provocation which Jim believed himself to have received.

Jim was "reported," of course, and punished; and the knowledge that
this must come to the ears of Miss Milly and Mr. Rutherford did not
tend to soothe his anger, nor did he feel that his desire for vengeance
was yet satisfied. As he had been deprived of his recess, however, he
had no immediate opportunity of gratifying it; and when school was
over, the principal, who was a just though strict man, and who was
particularly interested in uncle Rutherford's scheme and the two rivals
for his prize, called both Jim and Theodore before him, and inquired
into the cause of the disturbance.

Now, Theodore was perfectly well aware of this, for Jim had not failed
to make use of his tongue as well as his fists, and he knew that in
some way his petty and oft-repeated thefts had come to light; but he
was not going to confess his own iniquities, and Jim was what Rob
Stevens, with less reason, had asserted himself to be,--"no telltale."

He rather sulkily replied, to the questions of the principal, that
"Theodore knew, and could tell if he liked;" but Theodore doggedly
declared that he had given and knew of no cause of offence, and that
the attack had been entirely without reason.

As Jim could not be persuaded to bring any accusation other than the
scornful, ferocious looks with which he regarded Theodore; while
Theodore himself was evidently uneasy and fearful lest his antagonist
should speak the truth,--Mr. Rollins was convinced that the latter was
really, in some way, to blame. But of course he could not punish him
without reason; while Jim had been caught red-handed, and must, at
least, be reprimanded and warned. The gentleman told him that he
forfeited his recess for a week, and that, if he trespassed again in
this manner, he would be degraded to a lower class.

Jim received his sentence in silence; but when Mr. Rollins spoke of the
penalty to follow future offending, his ruddy face blanched. _That_
meant not only disgrace in the school, but, what