“Silence, sir, or I’ll make the imposition fifty times!”
The howl subsided into a series of subdued sniffs as the big fellow went back to his place, amidst the humming noise made by some fifty boys, who, under the pretence of studying their lessons, kept up conversations, played at odd or even for marbles, or flicked peas at each other across the school.
“Old Reb wouldn’t dare to hit him like that if the Doctor was here.”
“Your father?” I said.
“No, no—old Swish! Doctor Browne.”
Flick-tip.
A pea struck my companion on the ear, and dropped on the floor.
“All right, Burr,” said my neighbour; “did that with a pea-shooter. I owe you one.”
“I didn’t do it!” I whispered eagerly.
“Of course you didn’t. It was that long, thin boy yonder. His name’s Burr too. He’ll be Burr major now, and you’ll be Burr junior.”