“He will probably have to take blows, as well as give them,” said Hector.
“Then I am to tell him what you said?”
“Of course.”
With a look that seemed to say, “Your fate be on your own head!” Bates walked away.
“John Bates is always toadying to Jim,” said Wilkins. “So he’s prime favorite when Jim is good-natured—when he’s cross, I’ve seen him kick Bates.”
“And Bates didn’t resent it?”
“He didn’t dare to. He’d come round him the next day the same as ever.”
“Has the boy no self-respect?” asked Hector, in a tone of disgust.
“He doesn’t seem to have.”
As soon as school was out, Jim Smith had looked round for the new boy, who seemed disposed to defy his authority. On account of eating at different tables, they had not met during the noon intermission. At any rate, there had not been time to settle the question of subserviency. Through the afternoon session Jim had been anticipating the signal punishment which he intended to inflict upon the newcomer.