“Been doing his best,” replied Jack, gloomily. “I don’t much care for him.”
This was quite enough. I could guess what it meant.
“I suppose you think I was a fearful sneak?” said Jack.
“No I don’t, old man!” said I.
I had, I must confess, felt a little doubtful on the subject; but, then, what else could he have done?
“I’m sorry I did it now,” said Jack solemnly; “I sha’n’t do it again.”
“What else could you do?” I asked.
“I shall have to knock Harris down, I suppose,” said Jack, so seriously that I stared at him in bewilderment.
Without doubt my poor chum was preparing a warm time for himself with the Imports at Merrett, Barnacle, and Company’s!
That same evening he entered on his new quarters at Mrs Nash’s, greatly to my joy, and greatly to the disgust of everybody else.