SCHOOLBOYS.
When Ben woke next morning he had a great load on his mind, for he
had to face the boys again; but after a few words with the father, he
felt better; and taking Harry Gray's hand in the breakfast hour, they
went together to Jim's home.
A knock at the door brought Mrs. Snow face to face with them.
"This little chap forgot himself yesterday, and when the boys mocked
him for being put in the low class, he struck at your Jim. He is
sorry for it, and wants to make up with him again."
"Jim came in with his lip cut, and I found out that your boy had done
it. I suppose he has been used to that sort of thing, and we cannot
expect much better from him. As he is sorry, it's all right this
time; and I hope he will behave himself better another day."
"I never used to fight anybody," answered Ben. "It's hard for a
fellow to be called 'baby' because no one taught him to read before;
but I mean to try not to fight Jim again. You might ask him to leave
off teasing me."
Mrs. Snow looked at the eager face before her, and her better
feelings prevailed.
"Come here, Jim," she cried, diving at Jim, who was behind the door;
"here's Ben Gray come to tell you he's sorry for fighting. It's more
than you would do. Now don't you tease him again."
Jim struggled to get free, and bursting away, cried--"I'll pay him
out; see if I don't."
Mrs. Snow's better feelings were quite overwhelmed now by her anger
against Jim; and she went in search of him to promise him such a
thrashing as he knew she would never carry out, while Harry Gray and
Ben walked away.
"Don't be afraid, boy, persevere and think twice before you act,"
said the father, as they parted--the one for school, the other for
work.
Of course Ben had a great deal to contend with; but when he had once
tried the right way, every fresh attack from the boys was easier to
withstand.
"That's the baby who had to go and beg Jim's pardon," said a close
friend of Jim's to Ben on coming home from school the same day.
Ben's cheeks flushed and he bit his lips, then he turned to the boy--
"I am in the baby class," he said, "and it's enough to make you laugh
to see such a big boy as I am there, but I'm not going to stay in
it--I mean to try and get out in two weeks, and as you know such a
lot you might help me to read. I did tell Jim I was sorry, and so I
_am_, because I've made a _lot_ of people sorry."
It was a great effort for Ben to say this, but it had its effect; the
boy didn't know what to reply, and ran off.
After a few days the others left off teasing Ben about his lessons,
for he was not afraid to own the truth,--and in a fortnight the
master put him in another class. But Jim did not forgive Ben.