"I don't care," said I. "It was a good job for you he came up. I
should have licked you hollow."
"No, you wouldn't, old chap; I had you over twice," said Dicky.
"Come outside and finish it out."
So we adjourned to the other side of the palings and finished it out in
the presence of the assembled Urbans and Philosophers. And I grieve to
say once more Dicky had me on my back.
The wrath of my comrades was even more grievous to bear than the
rejoicings of the enemy. I was promptly withdrawn from the fray as a
bad lot, and had it not been for the opportune bell, should probably
have been kicked all round.
At any rate, I went in disgusted with myself, with Low Heath, with
everybody. What was the use of keeping it up? Tempest, ten to one, was
expelled. Dicky Brown, once my inferior, could put me on my back. The
Philosophers hated me. Mr Sharpe had marked me down for exemplary
punishment, and publicly denounced me as the worst boy in the house.
And all this in a single term. What, I wondered, would it be like, if I
remained, at the end of a second term?
I looked dismally into Tempest's study--he was not back. Pridgin was
in, but did not want me. The faggery just now was impossible. I never
felt more lonely and miserable in my life.
I was wandering down the passage, with my jacket flung over my shoulder
and my shirt sleeves still tucked up, when the voice of Crofter stopped
me.
"Look here," said he, "the contents of your pocket may be interesting to
you, but we don't want them littered about the passage. Here, catch
hold," and he held out a handful of loose letters. "Why, what's the
matter? How blue you look! Has any one been hurting you?"
"Rather not. I've been licking a young cad, that's all."
"Well, you don't look as if you enjoyed it, anyhow. Has Tempest come
back?"
"No--probably he's expelled," said I, determined to have things as
miserable as possible.
"I sincerely hope not," said Crofter, in a tone which quite softened me
to him. "He doesn't like me, but I'd be sorry if he left, all the
same."
"He thinks you and Jarman would like to see him kicked out. That's the
one reason why he might stay on."
Crofter laughed sweetly.
"What a notion! Why, I've had a good mind to go to England myself and
stick up for him."
"It's a good job you haven't," said I.
"What I'm afraid is, that he is worried about other things. I hope, by
the way, you never said anything about what I told you the other day."
"No," said I, not quite candidly. For I had tried to tell Tempest, but
he would not let me.
"That's right. I hope he's cleared his debts off by now."
"I--I don't think he has," stammered I.
"Really! It's a pity. The doctor would be much more likely to be down
on him for being in debt than--"
He pulled up suddenly, as Tempest at that moment walked up. He must
have heard the last few words; and if it required looks of guilt and
confusion on my part to convince him we had been speaking of him, I
think I gave him proof positive.
He had apparently intended to summon me to his study. But, as he saw
with whom I was conferring, and overheard the subject of our
conversation, he thought better of it, and with lowering face stalked
away.
I wished I was dead then! Something told me I had lost my friend, and
that no amount of explanation could do away with the barrier which had
suddenly been erected between us.
"Awkward," said Crofter. "It's a good job we were talking no harm of
him."
"He won't fancy our talking about him at all," said I.
"I suppose we've as much right to talk about him as any one else."
"He'll be awfully down on me, I know," said I miserably.
"All I can say is, if he is, you're a young fool if you care two straws.
Tempest's a good fellow; but he's rather a way of not allowing a fellow
to have a soul of his own."
This failed to console me. I made one effort to see Tempest and
explain, but he was occupied with his books, and did not even deign to
notice my presence in his study.
Later on in the evening all speculation as to the result of the
morning's interview was set at rest. An unusual summons came to
Sharpe's to meet the doctor in our hall.
We assembled uncomfortably and with sore spirits. The worry of the
whole business was telling on us, and we heartily hoped, while we
clamoured for no surrender in words, that Tempest would disappoint us
for once.
The doctor came presently, looking very grave, and accompanied by Mr
Jarman. From the head master's face we concluded at once that all was
up. But to our surprise he said,--
"I am glad to say, in reference to the matter I met you boys about
yesterday, that Tempest has taken a proper sense of his duty, and has
undertaken to apologise for his conduct to Mr Jarman. That being so,
Tempest, you will please take this opportunity of expressing your
regret."
Tempest flushed as he rose in obedience to the doctor's summons. It was
evidently, as Redwood had said, "a bitter pill," and had he been a less
brave fellow, he could hardly have swallowed it. As it was, even the
knowledge that the welfare of the entire house was somehow dependent on
his submission was scarcely able to break down his pride.
He advanced to Mr Jarman more like one who comes to administer a
thrashing than ask for pardon, and after eyeing him almost fiercely for
a moment, summoned his self-control sufficiently to say hoarsely,--
"I apologise, sir."
Mr Jarman bit his lips. It was not the triumph he had expected.
Indeed the whole manner of it was such as to hurt instead of soothe his
feelings.
"This is hardly an apology," said he to the doctor.
"I trust, Tempest, it means that you regret your action?"
It was an awkward question. Tempest had gone further than any one
expected, and his silence now reminded the doctor what the cost had
been.
"I think," said he, not waiting for a reply to his own question,
"Tempest has fulfilled his pledged--not cordially, I am sorry to say,
but sufficiently."
"Very well, sir," said Mr Jarman, "I accept his apology for what it is
worth, which seems very little."
"Now, I regret to say," continued the head master, producing a letter
which made my heart jump to my mouth, "I have a more serious matter to
speak about. I wish heartily what we have just heard had been the end
of this painful interview. But it is necessary to refer to something
different--a very serious offence against rules. It concerns you,
Tempest. Is it a fact that you are in debt to some of the tradesmen?"