room, and get out of
this, or I'll chuck you out."

"I don't think you will," said Reginald, coolly dropping the broom and
facing his enemy.

He was happier at that moment than he had been for a long time. He
could imagine himself back at Wilderham, with the school bully shouting
at him, and his spirits rose within him accordingly.

"What do you say? you hugger-mugger puppy you--you--"

Mr Durfy's adjectives frequently had the merit of being more forcible
than appropriate, and on the present occasion, what with the dust and
his own rage, the one he wanted stuck in his throat altogether.

"I said I don't think you will," repeated Reginald.

Mr Durfy looked at his man and hesitated. Reginald stood five foot
nine, and his shoulders were square and broad, besides, he was as cool
as a cucumber, and didn't even trouble to take his hands out of his
pockets. All this Mr Durfy took in, and did not relish; but he must
not cave in too precipitately, so he replied, with a sneer,--

"Think! A lot you know about thinking! Can't even hold a broom. Clear
out of here, I tell you, double quick; do you hear?"

Reginald's spirits fell. It was clear from Mr Durfy's tone he was not
going to attempt to "chuck him out," and nothing therefore could be
gained by remaining.

He turned scornfully on his heel, knowing that he had made one enemy, at
any rate, during his short connection with his new business.

And if he had known all, he could have counted two; for Mr Durfy,
finding himself in a mood to wreak his wrath on some one, summoned the
ill-favoured Barber to sweep out the back case-room, and gave his orders
so viciously that Barber felt distinctly aggrieved, and jumping to the
conclusion that Reginald had somehow contrived to turn the tables on
him, he registered a secret vow, there and then, that he would on the
first opportunity, and on all subsequent opportunities, be square with
that luckless youth.

Caring very little about who hated him or who liked him, Reginald
wandered forth, to intercept the faithful Horace with the now
unnecessary water; and the two boys, finding very little to occupy them
during the rest of the day, remained in comparative seclusion until the
seven o'clock bell rang, when they walked home, possibly wiser, and
certainly sadder, for their first day with the _Rocket_ Newspaper
Company, Limited.

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE CRUDENS AT HOME.

If anything could have made up to the two boys for the