'Why not? If the new boy won't do as the rest tell him, then fight it out, if he won't give in!'
Leonard heaved a sigh of despair. 'There never was anything half so stupid as a girl!' he exclaimed. 'Do you think if it was anything we could settle off-hand like that I should ask you about it?'
'Well, tell me what it is, and I'll help you if I can. What is the new boy like?' she asked.
'Oh, like most other fellows, I suppose, or at least he was the first day, I know, for I took particular notice as he came into the class; but the last day or two he has come in a jacket that ought to have gone to the rag-bag three months ago, and——'
'But his jacket can't hurt you,' interrupted his sister, 'you don't have to wear it.'
'You stupid duffer! don't he go to Torrington's, I tell you, and haven't we got to stand up for the honour of the school?'
'Who—the boys or the head master?' asked Duffy innocently.
'Why, all of us, to be sure, and we mean to do it too. Why, Torrington's is as good as Eton.'
'Oh yes, of course it's a good school,' admitted Duffy.
'Yes, and we mean to keep it so; we don't mean to have any cads among us.'