hours, and diligent at his work, it
was extremely difficult for the overseer or any one else to find any
pretext for abusing him.

It is true, Mr Barber, who had not yet given up the idea of asserting
his moral and intellectual superiority, continued by the ingenious
device of "squabbling" his case, and tampering with the screw of his
composing-stick, and other such pleasing jokes not unknown to printers,
to disconcert the new beginner on one or two occasions. But ever since
Reginald one morning, catching him in the act of mixing up his e's with
his a's, had carried him by the collar of his coat and the belt of his
breeches to the water tank and dipped his head therein three times with
no interval for refreshment between, Mr Barber had moderated his
attentions and become less exuberant in his humour.

With the exception of Gedge, now his fast ally, Reginald's other fellow-
workmen concerned themselves very little with his proceedings. One or
two, indeed, noticing his proficiency, hinted to him that he was a fool
to work for the wages he was getting, and some went so far as to say he
had no right to do so, and had better join the "chapel" to save trouble.

What the "chapel" was Reginald did not trouble even to inquire, and
replied curtly that it was no business of any one else what his wages
were.

"Wasn't it?" said the deputation. "What was to become of them if
fellows did their work for half wages, they should like to know?"

"Are you going off, or must I make you?" demanded Reginald, feeling he
had had enough of it.

And the deputation, remembering Barber's head and the water tank,
withdrew, very much perplexed what to do to uphold the dignity of the
"chapel."

They decided to keep their "eye" on him, and as they were able to do
this at a distance, Reginald had no objection at all to their decision.

He meanwhile was keeping his eye on Gedge and Mr Durfy, and about a
fortnight after his arrival at the _Rocket_, a passage of arms occurred
which, slight as it was, had a serious influence on the future of all
three parties concerned.

The seven o'clock bell had rung, and this being one of Horace's late
evenings, Reginald proposed to Gedge to stroll home with him and call
and see Mrs Cruden.

The boy accepted readily, and the two were starting off arm in arm when
Mr Durfy confronted them. Reginald, who had never met his adversary
beyond the precincts of the _Rocket_ before, did not for a moment
recognise