ty you let yourself be carried away
like that. I think it very probable indeed that Felix deserved
castigation of some kind, but you would have done much better to report
him to me, you know, and let me see to it. You have put me in an
awkward position. I fear you must make an apology to Mrs. Tootle, and
then perhaps the matter can be allowed to blow over."

"I think not," replied Waymark, whose mind was evidently made up. There
was a look of recklessness on his face which one could at any time have
detected lurking beneath the hard self-control which usually marked
him. "I don't feel disposed to apologise, and I am tired of my position
here. I must give it up."

Dr. Tootle was annoyed. It would not be easy to get another teacher of
the kind at so cheap a rate.

"Come, you don't mean this," he said. "You are out of temper for the
moment. Perhaps the apology could be dispensed with; I think I may
promise that it can be. The lad will be no worse for his little
correction. Possibly we can come to some more satisfactory arrangements
for the future--"

"No," interposed Waymark; "I have quite made up my mind. I mean to give
up teaching altogether; it doesn't suit me. Of course I am willing to
come as usual the next two days."

"You are aware that this notice should have been given me at the
beginning of the quarter?" hinted the principal.

"Oh yes. Of course you will legally owe me nothing. I am prepared for
that."

"Well, I shall have to consider it. But I still think that you--"

"As far as I am concerned, the matter is decided. I go at Easter."

"Very well. I think you are blind to your own interest, but of course
you do as you please. If Mrs. Tootle should press me to take out a
summons against you for assault, of course I--"

"Good morning, Dr. Tootle."

The summons was not taken out, but Waymark's resolution suffered no
change. There was another interview between him and the principal, from
which he issued with the sum of six pounds ten in his pocket, being
half the quarter's salary. He had not applied for this, but did not
refuse it when it was offered. Seeing that the total amount of cash
previously in his possession was something less than five shillings, he
did wisely, perhaps, to compromise with his dignity, and let Dr. Tootle
come out of the situation with a certain show of generosity.

CHAPTER XI

BY THE WAYSIDE

"So there ends another chapter. How many more to the end of the story?
How