'm sure, at any time that suits you."

"You and I had better understand one another at once," said Mr Ratman.

"Why not? I flatter myself I understand you perfectly already."

"Do you? Now, look here, my fine fellow. It's easy for you to give
yourself airs, but I know a good deal more about you than I dare say you
would care to own yourself. If you'll take my advice, the sooner you
clear out of here the better. You may think you've a snug berth here,
and flatter yourself you pass for a saint with your pupil and his mamma,
but, let me tell you, I could open their eyes to a thing or two which
would alter their opinion, as well as the opinion of certain young lady
friends who--"

"Who do not require the assistance of Robert Ratman to keep them out of
bad company," retorted the tutor, hotly for him.

"No, but they may require the assistance of Robert Ratman to keep them
from being ashamed of their own father, Mr Armstrong."

The tutor glared through his glass. He understood this threat.

"What of that?" said he.

"Merely," said Mr Ratman, "that it depends pretty much on you whether
they are to continue to believe themselves the children of an officer
and a gentleman, or of a--a fugitive from justice. That's the position,
Mr Tutor. The responsibility rests with you. If you choose to go, I
shall not undeceive them; if you don't--well, it may suit me to open
their eyes; there!"

The tutor inspected his man from top to toe in a dangerous way, which
made the recipient of the stare decidedly uncomfortable. Then, pulling
himself together with an effort, Mr Armstrong coolly inquired, "Have
you anything more to say?"

"That's about enough, isn't it? I give you a week."

"Thanks, very much," said Mr Armstrong, as he turned on his heel.

Roger, after a long ramble in the park with his fair tormentor, returned
about noon, flushed and excited.

"Armstrong, old man," said he, "what's to be done? She's kind to me--
horribly kind; but whenever I get near the subject she laughs me off it,
and holds me at arm's length. What's the use of my name and my money
and my prospects, if they can't win her? If I jest, she's serious, and
if I'm serious, she jests--we can't hit it. What's to be done, I say?"

"Patience," said the tutor; "it took several years to capture Troy."

"All very well for an old bachelor like you. I expected you'd say
something like that. I know I could make her happy if she'd let me try.
But sh