“I ain’t afraid of you, as you’ll find out. You’re a mean feller, and a coward. You wanted me to get into a fight with the master, because you hated him, and didn’t dare to fight him yourself. I like him a good deal better than I do you.”
“You may if you want to,” said John, mortified. “I’m a gentleman’s son, and I can get as many friends as I like.”
“You ain’t a gentleman yourself, that’s sure.”
John walked away in dudgeon. He saw that Peter had gone over to the enemy, and that Walter had conquered. There was no hope now of breaking down his authority. Whether he liked it or not, he must submit to be taught by a boy, and one that he did not like.
Meanwhile Phineas Morton had gone up to the teacher’s desk.
“Have you recovered from your headache, Mr. Morton?” asked Walter.
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Howard. I find you gained a great victory while I was away.”
Walter smiled.
“What surprises me is that Peter has turned over to your side. I heard him threaten to lick any boy that said anything against you.”
“Did he say that?” asked Walter.