Chippy had rather expected that Dick would take a scornful tone to him, as most of the Grammar School boys did to the wharf-rats. He did not know that Dick was in honour bound to obey Scout Law No. 5, and be courteous to all whom he met. But Dick's friendly voice encouraged Chippy to speak out something which he had on his mind.
'Look 'ere,' said Chippy, 'I ain't in wi' that crowd as tried to chuck yer into the mud t'other day. That ain't playin' the game.'
'Well, you certainly didn't help 'em,' replied Dick, with a merry grin.
'No,' agreed Chippy. 'I was outed that time, proper. Lor! my 'ead sung for 'alf a day! But it was Carrots as put 'em up to that mud game, an' I've booted 'im out o' the crowd. As long as I'm a-runnin' the show, I'll slug wi' anybody ye like, but I'll slug fair. Here's yer book.'
There was a touch of reluctance in Chippy's manner, which did not escape Dick's quick eye.
'Have you read some of it?' asked Dick.
'Yus; I read quite a bit,' replied Chippy.
'How did you like it?'
'Oh, it's pross!' returned Chippy in his deepest, hoarsest note.
'All right,' laughed Dick. 'Take the book and keep it.'