ment. He was still afraid of Jim, but when he
thought of Hector's prowess, he concluded that he had better tell the
truth.

"Yes, sir," he answered.

Jim Smith darted an angry and menacing glance at his failing adherent.

"Ahem!" said Socrates, looking puzzled: "it is not quite so bad as I
supposed. I regret, however, that you have exhibited such a quarrelsome
disposition."

"I don't think I am quarrelsome, sir," said Hector.

"Silence, sir! I have Mr. Allan Roscoe's word for it."

"It appears to me," said Hector, undauntedly, "that your nephew is at
least as quarrelsome as I am. He forced the fight upon me."

"Probably you will not be in a hurry to attack him again," said
Socrates, under the impression that Hector had got the worst of it.

Some of the boys smiled, but Socrates did not see it.

"As you have probably received a lesson, I will not punish you as I had
anticipated. I will sentence you, however, to commit to memory the first
fifty lines of Virgil's 'AEneid.' Mr. Crabb, will you see that Roscoe
performs his penance?"

"Yes, sir," said Crabb, faintly.

"Is your nephew also to perform a penance?" asked Hector, undaunted.

"Silence, sir! What right have you to question me on this subject?"

"Because, sir, he is more to blame than I."

"I don't know that. I am not at all sure that your story is correct."

Mr. Crabb, meek as he was, was indignant at this flagrant partiality.

"Mr. Smith," he said, "I happen to know that Roscoe's story is strictly
correct, and that your nephew made an unprovoked attack upon him."

Hector looked grateful, and Jim Smith furious.

"Mr. Crabb," said Socrates, angrily, "I did not ask your opinion. So far
as my nephew is concerned, I will deal with him privately. Boys, you may
begin your studies."

All the boys understood that Jim was to be let off, and they thought it
a shame. But Mr. Crabb took care to make Hector's penance as light as
possible.

And thus passed the first day at Smith Institute.

CHAPTER XV. THE USHER CONFIDES IN HECTOR.

Mr. Crabb acted rashly in siding with Hector, and speaking against Mr.
Smith's nephew. Socrates showed his displeasure by a frigid demeanor,
and by seeking occasions for snubbing his assistant. On the other hand,
Hector felt grateful for his intercession, and an intimacy sprang up
between them.

A few days afterward, on a half holiday, Mr. Crabb said: "Roscoe, I am
going out for a walk. Do you care to accompany me