ly might have borne it with patience for a little while: and
then I heard something about your being quarrelsome.

_Harry._--Oh, sir! I hope not. I was, to be sure, once a little
passionate, but that I could not help, and I hope you will forgive me.
There was a modest, sensible young lady, who was the only person that
treated me with any kindness, and a bold, forward, ill-natured boy
affronted her in the grossest manner, only because she took notice of
me. Could I help taking her part? Have you not told me, too, sir, that
every person, though he should avoid quarrels, has a right to defend
himself when he is attacked?

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I do not much blame you, from the
circumstances I have heard of that affair; but why did you leave Mr
Merton's family so abruptly, without speaking to anybody, or thanking Mr
Merton himself for the civilities he had shown you? Was that right?

_Harry._--Oh dear, sir, I have cried about it several times, for I think
it must appear very rude and ungrateful to Mr Merton. But as to Master
Tommy, I did not leave him while I thought I could be of any use. He
treated me, I must say, in a very unworthy manner; he joined with all
the other fine little gentlemen in abusing me, only because I
endeavoured to persuade them not to go to a bull-baiting; and then at
last he struck me. I did not strike him again, because I loved him so
much in spite of all his unkindness; nor did I leave him till I saw he
was quite safe in the hands of his own servants; and then, how could I
go back to his house after what he had done to me? I did not choose to
complain of him to Mr Merton; and how could I behave to him as I had
done before, without being guilty of meanness and falsehood? And
therefore I thought it better to go home and desire you to speak, to Mr
Merton, and entreat him to forgive my rudeness.

_Mr Barlow._--Well, Harry, I can inform you that Mr Merton is perfectly
satisfied on that account. But there is one circumstance you have not
mentioned, my little friend, and that is your saving Tommy's life from
the fury of the enraged bull.

_Harry._--As to that, sir, I hope I should have done the same for any
human creature. But I believe that neither of us would have escaped, if
it had not been for the poor courageous Black that came to our
assistance.

_Mr Barlow._--I see, Harry, that you are a boy of a noble and generous
spirit, and I highly approve of everything you have done; but are you
de