Why, Paul, lad!' he cried. 'Who's handled ye like that?'

'There's no harm done, sir,' said Paul 'I've been putting a precept of
Mr. Ralston's into effect in a way he never dreamt of.'

'Ye've been fighting,' said his father, with a voice of reproof. 'Unless
ye've a vera guid reason for it, that's a blackgyard way of settling
differences.'

'I'm like Othello, sir,' Paul answered: "Nought I did in hate, but all
in honour." I had no difference with the gentleman who did this for me.
We met and parted on the most excellent terms.'

But even when Paul had told his story, Armstrong was un-appeased, and
declined to see any form of humour in it.

'It's just a wanton defacing of the Divine image,' he said, 'and a
return upon the original beast.'

Paul was constrained to let the incident rest there, but he comforted
himself by fighting the battle over again in fancy. In this wise he beat
the champion of the afternoon hands down, and came off without a scar.

CHAPTER VII

Armstrong and Paul were keeping house alone, and were playing chess
together. The big eight-day clock ticked, the cat purred noisily on
Armstrong's shoulder, the clear burning fire made slight crisp sounds
in the grate, and now and then slack fell from the bars. The two sat in
silence, poring over the board. Paul made a move.

'That's vile play,' said Armstrong. 'Mate in four.'

'Go on, sir,' Paul answered.

'Chick,' said Armstrong.

'But you lose your castle.'

'Do I so? But I get a pawn for it, and chick again.'

'Yes,' said Paul, 'I see.' He turned down his king and sat absent-eyed.

'Ye're falling off, Paul,' said Armstrong, 'or else your mind's not on
the game.'

'To tell you the truth, sir,' Paul returned, sitting up with a sudden
sprightliness, 'my mind's not on the game.'

'Where is it, lad?'

'Well, sir, it's in London.' 'London?'

'London, sir. I can't stop here all my days. I want to see the world.'

Armstrong rose to light his pipe at the gas. He dropped into his seat
slowly, took the cat from his shoulder, and set it on his knees. The
purr rose louder as he stroked lingeringly.

'Ay!' he said after a long pause; 'ay, ay!'

'I was afraid you wouldn't like it, sir,' said Paul 'I'm not misliking
it, lad,' his father answered. 'I'm not misliking it What's your
proposition, Paul?'

'I don't know, sir. I've formed no plans. I don't know how to go about
things. I'm stifling here.'

'It's natural,' said Armstrong; 'I've