you mention the mustard, as I desired you?
Upon my faith, but you're a nice boy and do justice to the
representations of your grandmother, and when you see her you may tell
her that I did not forget the promise she exacted from me. You forgot
all about the mustard, you little blackguard. If Phil Mooney was here I
would give you another taste to freshen your memory for to-morrow;
however, to-morrow will do as well, if the mistake's not corrected.
Here, take your victuals, and good appetite to you, you little monster
of iniquity."

Mr O'Gallagher tossed me some bread but this time reserved the cheese
for his own eating. I had adjusted my dress, and I therefore left the
school-room. I could not sit down without pain, so I leant against a
post: the bread remained in my hand untouched; had it been the greatest
delicacy in the world I could not have tasted a morsel; I was giddy from
excess of feeling, my thoughts were rapidly chasing each other when I
heard a voice close to me; I looked round, it was Walter Puddock, who
had been flogged the day before.

"Never mind, Keene," said he, kindly; "it hurts at first, but the more
you get it the less you care for it; I don't mind it a bit now; I cries,
because he goes on flogging till you do, and it's no use having more
than you can help."

"I didn't deserve it," replied I.

"That's not necessary; you'll get it, as we all do, whether you deserve
it or not."

"Well, I'll try to deserve it in future," replied I, clenching my fist;
"I'll be even with him."

"Why, what can you do?"

"Wait a little, and you'll see," said I, walking away, for an idea had
come into my head which I wished to follow up.

Soon afterwards the bell rang, and we returned to the schoolroom. I was
put under the tuition of another boy, and took care to learn my lesson.
Whether it was that he was tired with the exercise, for he flogged and
ferruled a dozen during that afternoon, or that he thought that my
morning dose had been sufficient, I received no more punishment on that
day.

CHAPTER SEVEN.

As soon as school was dismissed, I went straight to the rooms of Captain
Bridgeman, and told him how I had been treated. As soon as he heard it,
he exclaimed, "This is really too bad; I will go with you, and I will
consult with your aunt Amelia."

It so happened that aunt Milly was alone in the shop when we arrived,
and after a detail of what had passed, she told Captain Bridgeman that
my grandmoth