CHAPTER XIV. TONY'S RIVAL.
Sam was about two inches taller than Tony, red haired and freckled, with a big frame, loosely put together. He was a born bully; and many were the tricks he had played on smaller boys in the village. He liked his place at the hotel because he was no longer obliged to go to school; but he was too lazy to fulfill the duties satisfactorily. His father was a blacksmith, of surly disposition, very much like Sam's, who was generally believed to ill-treat his wife, a meek, uncomplaining woman, who filled the position of a household drudge.
Sam strutted into the yard with the air of a proprietor. He took no particular notice of Tony, but accosted James. The latter made a signal to Tony to be silent.
"Well, have you just got along?" asked the hostler.
"Ye-es," drawled Sam.
"What made you go home yesterday afternoon, and not come back?"
"I didn't feel well," said Sam, nonchalantly.
"What was the matter with you?"
"I had a sort of headache."