er a boy in the novel position of dunce, tried to find out what
he did know of arithmetic, his ignorance and inappreciation were so
unfathomable that Julius doubted whether the power or the will was
at fault. At any rate he was wretched in the present, and dismal as
to the future, and looked on his brother-in-law as in league with
the oppressors for trying to rouse his sense of duty.

Remonstrance seemed blunted and ineffective everywhere. When
Herbert Bowater tried to reclaim Harry Hornblower into giving up his
notorious comrades, he received the dogged reply, "Why should not a
chap take his pleasure as well as you?" With the authority at once
of clergyman and squire's son, he said, "Harry, you forget yourself.
I am not going to discuss my occupations with you."

"You know better," rudely interrupted the lad. "Racketing about all
over the country, and coming home late at night. You'd best not
speak of other folks!"

As a matter of fact, Herbert had never been later than was required
by a walk home from a dinner, or a very moderate cricket supper; and
his conscience was clear as to the quality of his amusements; but
instead of, as hitherto, speaking as youth to youth, he used the
language of the minister to the insulting parishioner. "I am sorry
I have disturbed Mrs. Hornblower, but the case is not parallel.
Innocent amusement is one thing--it is quite another to run into
haunts that have _already_ proved dangerous to your principles."

Harry Hornblower laughed. "It's no go coming the parson over me,
Mr. Bowater! It's well known what black coats are, and how they
never cry out so loud upon other folks as when they've had a jolly
lark among themselves. No concealment now, we're up to a thing or
two, and parsons, and capitalists, and squires will have to look
sharp."

This oration, smacking of 'The Three Pigeons,' was delivered so loud
as to bring the mother on the scene. "O, Harry, Harry, you aren't
never speaking like that to Mr. Bowater!"

"When folks jaw me about what's nothing to them I always give them
as good as they bring. That's my principle," said Harry, flinging
out of the house, while the curate tried to console the weeping
mother, and soon after betook himself to his Rector with no mild
comments on the lad's insolence.

"Another warning how needful it is for us to avoid all occasion for
misconstruction," said Julius.

"We do, all of us," said Herbert. "Even that wretched decoction,
Full