And with that he shut the door and locked it behind his discomfited foes. Then, seating himself, he looked at the bewildered Charlton, and laughed again as he saw the look of admiration in his face.
"There, I think that has taught them a lesson! We shall not have them upset our study again," he said. "One must maintain one's rights, and we may as well begin as we mean to go on. So this is our study, is it?"
"Yes, if you will share it with me," the other boy said. And Ralph answered—
"Share it? Of course I shall share it with you! Did not you hear Mr. Delermain say that we were to share it?"
"But most fellows don't like me, because—because——"
"Never mind why," interrupted Ralph, anxious to spare the boy's feelings. "I heard something about your father being gone; well, my father is gone, you know"—and Ralph's voice shook a little—"and so we two ought to be chums, and help each other. Then, I suppose that you know more than I do; for, except at roping a steer or rounding up a herd of cattle, I am afraid that I am not of much use. You will be able to help me on no end."
"What! I help you?" gasped Charlton. "How can I do that?"
"You know Greek and Latin, and goodness knows how much more, that I am only just at the beginning of, and you will be able to give me a hand with it. I want to get on and pick up things as quickly as I can."
"I might help you that way, if you would let me," the boy said doubtfully. And Ralph laughed.
"What a chap you are! Have I not told you that I shall be downright thankful: and there you keep on about if I will let you. Come, shake hands upon it! Charlton, we two are chums, and we are going to stick together and help each other. Is that so?"