ame. Of
coarse, the youthful messenger gave Tom a full, true, and particular
account of this conversation in all its details, which rendered that
young gentleman rather less eager than ever for his enterprise.
However, he had the fear of Gus before his eyes, and strolled out into
the playground on the chance of coming across Charlie.

And he did come across him, arm-in-arm with the faithful Jim. Tom
worked his face into the ghastly similitude of a friendly smile as he
approached, and said, in as genial a voice as he could pretend, "I'm
glad I met you, Newcome, because I want to speak to you, if you don't
mind taking a turn round the playground."

Charlie, of course, was astonished; he had expected at the very least to
be kicked over the wall when he saw Tom approach, and he was utterly at
a loss to understand this not unfriendly greeting. Innocent boy! it
never occurred to him the demonstration could be anything but real. Jim
would have been a tougher subject to deal with. Indeed, as he let go
Charlie's arm, and saw him walk off with Tom, he muttered to himself,
not caring particularly whether the latter heard him or not.

"Gammon! that's what it is."

Charlie had not long to wait before his companion began the
conversation.

"I suppose you wonder why I want you, Newcome?" said he. "The fact is,
I've been thinking I wasn't altogether right in being down on you the
other day about lending me that watch, especially as you were a new boy;
and I'm sorry if I hurt you."

Charlie sprung towards him and caught his arm.

"Oh, Tom Drift, don't say that, please! It was my fault--all my fault,
and I have been so sorry ever since. And you will be friends now, won't
you? I do so want to be, because I promised your mother--"

Tom gave a quick gesture of impatience, which, if Charlie had
understood, he would have known how near receiving a kick he was at that
moment.

Tom, however, restrained himself, and said,--

"Oh, yes, for her sake I'd like to be friends, of course, and I hope
you'll forget all about that wretched quarrel."

"Indeed I will," cried Charlie; "and don't let us say any more about it.
I am ever so much happier now, and it was so good of you to come to me
and make it up."

"Well," said Tom loftily, "you know it's no use for two fellows to be at
loggerheads when it can be helped, and I dare say we shall get on all
the better now. How are you going on in the second?"

Whereupon Charlie launched