"You're only a boy like me," said Tom; "I don't see why I should obey you."
"If you were teacher, and I pupil, I should obey you," said James, "and I expect the same of you."
"Oh, go on with the recitation!" said Tom, lazily. "Never mind me!"
James felt that he could afford to wait no longer
Turning to the class, he said, "I shall have to delay you for a minute."
He walked deliberately up to the seat where Tom Bassett was sitting.
Tom squared off in the expectation of an assault; but, with the speed of lightning, the young teacher grasped him by the collar, and, with a strength that surprised himself, dragged him from his seat, in spite of his struggles, till he reached the place where the class was standing.
By this time Bill Stackpole felt called upon to help his partner in rebellion.
"You let him alone!" he said, menacingly, stepping forward.
"One at a time!" said James, coolly. "I will be ready for you in a minute."