Shellport, looked about for consolation
indoors that evening, and found it in a demonstration against the
unlucky Bosher, who, against his will, had been forced to personate the
Radical at the recent meeting, and now found it impossible to retrieve
his reputation. He was hissed all round the playground, and finally had
to barricade himself in his study to escape further persecution. But
even there he was not safe. The youthful Whigs forced their way into
his stronghold, and after much vituperation and reproach, proceeded to
still more violent measures. "Howling young Radical cad!" exclaimed
Telson, who, carried away by the excitement of the hour, had forgotten
all Mr Parrett's prohibitions, and had come to visit his old allies;
"you ought to be ashamed of yourself."

"Indeed, I'm Yellow," pleaded the unhappy Bosher. "They forced me to be
Cheeseman at the meeting, but it wasn't my fault."

"Don't tell crams," cried the others. "It's bad enough to be a Radical
without trying to deceive us."

"I'm not trying to deceive you, really I'm not," protested Bosher.

"I'll be anything you like. I hate the Radicals. Oh, I say, don't be
cads, you fellows. Let me be a Whig, do!"

"No," cried the virtuous Parson. "We'll have no Radical cads on our
side."

"But I'm not a Radical cad," cried Bosher; "at least not a Radical."

At that moment King made a sudden grab at a small black book which lay
on the mantelpiece.

"Oh, you fellows," cried he, "here's a lark. Here's his diary."

A mighty Whig cheer followed the discovery, amidst which Bosher's wild
protests and entreaties were quite drowned.

"His diary!" exclaimed Parson. "That'll show if he's a Radical or not.
Hand it over, King. That'll show up his jolly gross conduct, eh?"

"No, no!" cried Bosher. "Give it up, you fellows; it's mine. Don't be
cads, I say; it's private." And he made a wild dash for his treasure.

But it was no use. Parson gravely addressed his prisoner.

"Look here, young Bosher, it's no use making a row. We must look at the
diary to see if you're really a Radical or not. It's our painful duty,
so you'd better be quiet. We're sorry to have to do it, you know, but
it can't be helped. If we find nothing Radical in the diary we'll let
you off."

It was no use protesting, and poor Bosher had to submit with the best
grace he could to hear his inmost thoughts read out in public.

"Here, Telson, old man," said Parson, "you read it. S