“Come along, John,” he said.
John Wall followed him to a different part of the yard.
“I hate that Phineas Morton,” said Peter. “He’s a brute.”
“I don’t like him myself,” said John.
“Just because he’s so big, he wants to boss it over the rest of us,” said Peter.
Now, if there was anybody in school of whom it could be said that he wanted to “boss it” over his schoolfellows, it was Peter himself. John knew this, but it was his interest at present to flatter Peter, since both cherished a common dislike for the new teacher, and John depended upon his companion, who was bolder than himself, to make trouble.
At this point the schoolbell rang, indicating that the recess was over.
“There goes the bell,” said John. “Shall we go in?”
“I’m in no hurry,” said Peter. “I’d just as lief go home. He couldn’t do anything to me.”
“Are you going home?”