the lion in his den and seeking a
reconciliation.

He walked quickly to Tom's study, for fear his resolution might fail
him, and knocked as boldly as he could at the door.

"Come in!" cried Tom inside.

Charlie entered, and found his late antagonist sprawling on two chairs,
reading a yellow-backed novel.

At the sight of Charlie he scowled, and looked anything but
conciliatory.

"What do you want?" he said angrily.

"Oh, Tom Drift!" cried Charlie, plunging at once into his subject, "I do
wish you'd be friends; I am so sorry I hurt you."

This last was an ill-judged reference; Tom was vicious enough about that
bruise on his forehead not to need any reminder of the injuries he had
sustained in that memorable scuffle.

"Get off with you, you little beast!" he cried. "What do you mean by
coming here?"

"I know I've no business, Tom Drift; but I do so want to be friends,
because--because I promised your mother, you know."

"What do I care what you promised my mother? I don't want you. Come,
off you go, or I'll show you the way."

Charlie turned to go, yet still lingered. A desperate struggle was
taking place, I could feel, within him, and then he stammered out, "I
say, Tom Drift, if you'll only be friends I'll _give_ you my watch."

Poor boy! Who knows what that offer cost him? it was indeed the dearest
bribe he had to give.

Tom laughed sneeringly. "Who wants your watch, young ass?--a miserable,
second-hand, tin ticker; I'd be ashamed to be seen with it. Come, once
more, get out of here or I'll kick you out!"

Charlie obeyed, miserable and disappointed.

He could stand being spoken roughly to, he could bear his
disappointment, but to hear his father's precious gift spoken of as a
"miserable, second-hand tin ticker," was more than he could endure, and
he made his way back to his room conscious of having lost more than he
had gained by this thankless effort at reconciliation.

"What are you in the sulks about?" inquired Halliday that evening, as
Charlie was putting away his lord and master's jam in the cupboard.

"I don't want to be sulky," Charlie said, "but I wish I could make it up
with Tom Drift."

"With who?" exclaimed Joe, who, as we have before observed, was subject
to occasional lapses of grammar.

"Tom Drift, you know; we had a row the first day."

"I know," replied Joe; "about that everlasting watch of yours, wasn't
it?"

"Yes," said Charlie, "I didn't like to lend it him, because-