Thorne turned in surprise. What boy (for it was a boy's voice) had dared to command him to atop?
He wasn't long in doubt.
Jasper Kent, a new scholar, who had only arrived the day before, advanced intrepidly to the rescue of the little victim. He was an inch shorter than Thorne, of a slight, elegant build, with a clear complexion and a bright, attractive face that would have been pronounced handsome by anyone. Judging from outward appearances, no one would have thought him the equal of Thorne in strength.
When Nicholas Thorne's eye lighted on his antagonist his lip turned in scorn and he paused.
"You're the new boy, I believe?" he said.
"Yes."
"I thought so. If you had been here longer you would know better than to interfere with me."
This was spoken with the utmost arrogance.
"You appear to consider yourself master here," said Jasper, quietly.
"I am master here," returned Nicholas, in the same tone.