dn't see it. Nor did Armitage. Nor did Bacon. And the rest
were doubtful, except little Frere, who declared at once that he was
longing to be friends with everybody--and to feel safe.

"But don't mind us, Brady," pursued Mason. "We aren't so sweet on
shoving wheel-barrows as all that. You and your dear Green and the rest
can have the whole glory and honour of the pots and the barrows to
yourselves. We won't fight for them, will we? After all, there are more
amusing ways of spending a half than in wheeling flower-pots round the
town."

Jack's hopes sank. He did not feel equal to making a second speech, but
he caught Mason by the arm, and spoke with vehement emphasis:

"It's an awful responsible thing, Mason, to refuse to patch a quarrel.
The chance of making-up doesn't come every day."

"We must have a chance of getting even with them first, and then we'll
talk about stopping."

"Nonsense! You know that tit-for-tat's a game without an end!"

"My dear Brady, if you knew the toil and time it has cost me to gather
this bunch of crawly, you wouldn't ask me so lightly to waste it."

"If that's all," said Jack, "you can stick the whole lot down my neck. I
give you free leave. Go on!"

There is no stronger influence than earnestness, and Jack was intensely
in earnest. It had its effect on his listeners, who were almost won over
already, while he thought his efforts were thrown away. While he spoke,
Simmons had secretly released three earwigs with which he had meant
mischief, and Hughes was opening his mouth to utter a word or two for
Jack, when Cadbury glided up to the group with outspread arms, and a
square box balanced on his head.

"Pax tea-cup! pax O biscuit!" began the flippant boy. "Dear brethren, I
entreat you to join with me in smoking the calumet of peace in the shape
of this humble weed."

As he bowed, the box fell from his head into his hands, and, removing
the lid, he offered it round. It appeared to contain a double layer of
cigars; but the Brincliffe scholars knew these cigars well, and where
they came from. They were composed of almond paste, and coated with a
brown sugary paper, which was always consumed with the rest.

Jack almost held his breath. Would the boys refuse or accept them?

Hughes dipped his hand in at once with a smile and a nod. "Thanks very
much, Cadbury!" Simmons followed suit with a wicked little chuckle.
Bacon hesitated, and then helped himself awkwardly. Frere took one with
an "