“Gammon! that’s what it is.”
Charlie had not long to wait before his companion began the conversation.
“I suppose you wonder why I want you, Newcome?” said he. “The fact is, I’ve been thinking I wasn’t altogether right in being down on you the other day about lending me that watch, especially as you were a new boy; and I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
Charlie sprung towards him and caught his arm.
“Oh, Tom Drift, don’t say that, please! It was my fault—all my fault, and I have been so sorry ever since. And you will be friends now, won’t you? I do so want to be, because I promised your mother—”
Tom gave a quick gesture of impatience, which, if Charlie had understood, he would have known how near receiving a kick he was at that moment.
Tom, however, restrained himself, and said,—
“Oh, yes, for her sake I’d like to be friends, of course, and I hope you’ll forget all about that wretched quarrel.”
“Indeed I will,” cried Charlie; “and don’t let us say any more about it. I am ever so much happier now, and it was so good of you to come to me and make it up.”
“Well,” said Tom loftily, “you know it’s no use for two fellows to be at loggerheads when it can be helped, and I dare say we shall get on all the better now. How are you going on in the second?”