Amongst them was one of the name of Home, who considered himself superior, from his connection with the Scotch Homes. He was a big, strong, pale-faced, handsome boy, with the least bit of a sneer always hovering upon his upper lip. Charley was half a head shorter than he, and I was half a head shorter than Charley. As we passed him, he said aloud, addressing the boy next him—
‘There they go—a pair of sneaks!’
Charley turned upon him at once, his face in a glow.
‘Home,’ he said, ‘no gentleman would say so.’
‘And why not?’ said Home, turning and striding up to Charley in a magnificent manner.
‘Because there is no ground for the assertion,’ said Charley.
‘Then you mean to say I am a liar?’
‘I mean to say,’ returned Charley, with more promptitude than I could have expected of him, ‘that if you are a gentleman, you will be sorry for it.’
‘There is my apology, then!’ said Home, and struck Charley a blow on the head which laid him on the ground. I believe he repented it the moment he had done it.
I caught one glimpse of the blood pouring over the transparent blue-veined skin, and rushed at Home in a transport of fury.