the boy sharply. "I haven't eaten it--I can't swallow it."

"Eh? What do you mean? What is it?"

"You," said Frank shortly.

"Oh!" said Andrew, raising his eyebrows a little and staring at him
hard; "and pray how is it you can't swallow me?"

"Because you will keep going on in this wild, stupid way, and treating
me as if I were some stupid boy whom you meant to make your butt."

"What, to-day?"

"Yes, and yesterday, and the day before that, and last week, and--and
ever since I've been here."

"Then why didn't you tell me of it if I did, like a gentleman should,
and not call me a fool?"

"I didn't; I said don't be a fool."

"Same thing. You insulted me."

"Well, you've insulted me dozens of times."

"And amongst gentlemen, sir," continued Andrew haughtily, and ignoring
the other's words, "these things mean a meeting. Gentlemen don't wear
swords for nothing. They have their honour to defend. Do you
understand?"

"Oh yes, I understand," said Frank warmly. "I haven't been behind the
trees in the big field at Winchester a dozen times perhaps without
knowing what that means."

"Pish!" said Andrew contemptuously; "schoolboys' squabbles settled with
fists. Black eyes, bruised knuckles, and cut lips."

"Well, schoolboys don't wear swords," cried Frank, who was by no means
quelled. "I learned fencing, and I dare say I could use mine properly.
I've fenced with my father in the holidays many a time."

"Then I shall send a friend to you, sir," said Andrew fiercely.

"You mean an enemy," said Frank grimly.

"A friend, sir--a friend," said Andrew haughtily; "and you can name your
own."

"No, I can't, and I shouldn't make such a fool of myself," cried Frank
defiantly.

"You are very free, sir, with your fools," cried Andrew. "Such language
as this is not fitted for the anteroom in the Palace."

"I suppose I may call myself a fool if I like."

"When you are alone, sir, if you think proper, but not in my presence.
Perhaps you will have the goodness to name your friend now; it will save
time and trouble."

Frank looked at his companion sharply.

"Then you mean to fight?"

"Yes, sir, I mean to chastise this insolence."

"They wouldn't let us cross swords within the Palace grounds."

"Pooh! No paltry excuses and evasions, sir," cried Andrew, in whose
thin cheeks a couple of red spots appeared. "Of course we could not
hold a meeting here. But there is the Park. I see, though. Big words,
and