“Yes, if he needs it.”
We now come to the few minutes preceding the return of Hector from his walk, as indicated in the last chapter.
Tommy Cooper was sitting in the school yard, with a disconsolate look, when Jim Smith, who was never happier than when he was bullying other boys, espied him.
“What’s the matter with you, young one?” he said, roughly, “Is your grandmother dead?”
“No,” answered Tommy, briefly.
“Come here and play.”
“I would rather not.”
“I am not going to have you sulking round here. Do you hear me?”
“Are you one of the teachers?” asked Tommy, innocently.
“You’ll find out who I am,” answered Jim, roughly. “Here, Palmer, do you want a little fun with this young one?”