elp being a fool," he said to himself, dolefully. "I have
tried, but all these law things slip out of my head as fast as I read
them. Of course it makes uncle bitter and angry, when he has tried to
help me, and would go on trying if it was not for Sam."

Then the long, weary time of his stay came up, and in succession the
series of injuries and petty annoyances to which he had been subjected
by his cousin passed before him, strengthening his determination.

But in spite of all these, he would have fought down the desire so
strong upon him if it had not been for the past evening's scene. Even
as he lay in bed his face flushed, and he quivered with shame and
indignation. For here it all was vividly before his mind's eye. What
had he done to deserve it? Nothing. He had spoken the truth, and
declined to take his cousin's lapse upon his own shoulders about that
letter; and then on getting home Sam had turned upon him, and any boy,
Tom argued, would have done as he did, and struck back. He'd have been
a mean-spirited coward if he had not.

"No, I can't stand it," he muttered, with his head beneath the clothes.
"He was going to beat me in spite of all I said, and it was too
horrible. I wouldn't have minded so much if I had been in the wrong,
but even then it was too cruel before aunt--before the servants, and
with Sam lying there shamming to be so bad, and watching all the time in
his delight. No, I won't alter my mind in the morning. Poor father
used to say, `Sleep on it, my lad;' but I can't sleep on this. I must
go now before things get worse."

He threw the clothes from his face and lay listening, to try and make
out whether his cousin was awake. He was not, for a heavy stuffy
breathing could be heard, consequent upon Sam's mouth being open, a
peculiar puffy swelling about the nose preventing him from breathing in
the usual way.

This brought a gleam of mental sunshine into Tom's sad and blackened
horizon. Naturally a bright, merry lad, for months past he had not had
a hearty laugh; but now, as he recalled his cousin's appearance, the
smile broadened, and for a few moments he shook with suppressed
laughter.

But the mirth passed away directly, for the matter was too serious, and
he now lay with knitted brows, listening to his cousin's breathing, and
continuing his plans.

He would wait another hour, and then begin.

He waited for some time listening till the last sound had died out in
the house, thi