“Not to cover a gentleman with dust when he entered the room,” replied Herbert, in a pompous tone.
“By the word ‘gentleman’ you mean to designate yourself, I presume,” said Dr. Euclid.
Herbert colored, for though the doctor’s words were plain and unemphasized, they seemed to him to imply sarcasm.
“Certainly, sir,” he answered.
“Those who claim to be gentlemen must behave as such,” said Dr. Euclid, calmly. “It is clear that your being covered with dust was accidental, and you had no occasion to resent it.”
“Had he any right to throw me down?” asked Herbert, biting his lips.
“Did you not strike him first?”
“Well, yes.”
“Then it appears to me that you are quits. I don’t approve of fighting, but I hold to the right of self-defense. I don’t think this affair calls for any interference on my part,” and the doctor passed on to his desk.
Herbert Ross was very much mortified. He had confidently expected that Andy would get into trouble, and perhaps receive a punishment, certainly a reprimand, from the preceptor. As it was, he alone had incurred censure.