“I don't know anything of the sort,” he retorted.
“No, I suppose you don't consider it in that light,” said Tom, carelessly; “but, of course, it is clear enough to others. Where would you have been, if Mr. Godfrey hadn't given you a place? Blacking boots, probably, among the street ragamuffins.”
“Perhaps I might,” said Herbert, quietly, “if I couldn't have got anything better to do.”
“It's a very genteel occupation,” sneered Tom.
“I don't think it is,” said Herbert, “but it's an honest one.”
“You may have to take it yet.”
“Perhaps so. So may you.”
“Do you mean to insult me?” demanded Tom, haughtily, his face flushing.
“I only said to you the same thing you said to me. If it's an insult on one side, it is on the other.”
“You seem to forget that our circumstances are very different,” said Tom.