his intended profession, often went by
the name of the "parson."

"Can you imagine why Mr. Hardy was discharged?" I asked.

"We don't know; but it is easy enough to see that he blamed Mr.
Parasyte, though he never said a word to the fellows. The idea of
staying at the Institute after Mr. Hardy goes is not to be thought
of," replied Bob, who, like myself, was a day scholar at the school.
"What did Parasyte mean when he said your uncle wished him to flog you
into subjection?"

"He meant that; my uncle told him to do so," I replied, with shame and
mortification, not for myself, but for him who should have been my
guardian and protector.

"Did he, though? Well, that was amiable of him," added Tom Rush. "He
and Parasyte will do to go together."

"They do go together. I find that Mr. Parasyte owes my uncle a large
sum of money. I had no idea that they were even acquainted with each
other before," I continued.

"Then I wonder that Parasyte made a row with you, if he owed your
uncle so much money."

"I don't understand it; but I think Mr. Parasyte didn't expect any
trouble. He judged hastily between Poodles and me, and when he had
given his decision, he was too proud and too obstinate to alter it. I
suppose he was a little afraid after what he had done, and went to see
my uncle and ask for instructions."

"But it was cold-blooded for your uncle to say what he did."

"Probably Parasyte told his own story," I replied, willing to shield
my uncle as much as possible.

"What did your uncle say to you when you went home?" asked Bob Hale,
full of interest and sympathy.

"We had some words, and he disowned and cast me out--to use his own
expression."

"Turned you out of house and home!" exclaimed Tom Rush.

"That was what he meant."

"Don't mind it, Ernest," interposed Bob. "You shall come to my house."

"I can take care of myself, I think," was my reply, rather proudly
spoken.

"Of course you can; but you shall have half my bed and half my dinner
as long as I have any."

"Thank you, Bob."

"We will talk that over another time, Ernest; for at present we have a
big job on our hands."

"What is that?"

"We'll tell you by and by. Parasyte says you assaulted him, and hit
him over the head with a big ruler. How was that, Ernest?"

I told them what had occurred after we left the school-room, and gave
them all the particulars of my battle with the principal.

"Served him right," was the verdict of the boys. "He