ns already suggested. For the present he thought it best to keep
quiet.

Jasper also had made a discovery, though, as we know, the information he
had received was not correct. He supposed Thorne to be a nephew of his
father's governess, whereas she was his mother.

"Does Thorne know this?" he asked himself.

He could not feel quite satisfied on this point, nor could he determine
precisely how far his feelings were affected by this discovery. He felt
a dislike toward Thorne on account of his tyrannical disposition and
ill-treatment of younger boys. He cherished a dislike for the governess,
the cause of which he could not as well define. Now, it appeared that
these two were allied to each other. I beg to say that Jasper was too
sensible and gentlemanly to dislike the governess simply because she was
poor. That he knew very well had nothing to do with the substantial
worth of a person. But he could not rid himself of the feeling that Miss
Thorne's residence in his father's family portended misfortune to the
parent whom he loved so well.

So a week passed without any new disturbance or outbreak between the two
boys. Jasper had been on the lookout, fearing that Thorne would take
some opportunity to wreak vengeance on young Cameron when he was not
present. But his fears were gradually allayed. Thorne seemed usually
peaceable--so much so that his school-mates, who knew him well, thought
he had turned over a new leaf, and speculated as to what had produced
the change. But neither boys nor men change suddenly and completely,
though policy and self-interest may for a time lead them to suppress the
manifestation of their characteristic traits.

Nine days after the fight recorded in my first chapter, as Jasper was
walking in the school-yard, Davies came up hurriedly.

"Kent," he said, "you're wanted."

"Who wants me?" asked Jasper. "Is it Dr. Benton?"

"No, the doctor's absent."

"Who wants me, then?"

"Little Cameron."

"What! is Thorne at him again?" asked Jasper, stopping short and looking
toward the house.

"Yes, Thorne's at his old business, bullying him. He took the
opportunity when he thought you were out of hearing."

"I must stop it," said Jasper. "Where are they?"

"In the back yard."

"I suppose I shall have to fight him again," said Kent, regretfully.

"You needn't be afraid to try it. You are a match for him."

"I think I am. That is not my reason."

"What then?"

"I don't like fighting--it's b