Before parting, Mr Cripps insisted on lending his young friend a lantern for his bicycle, when he rode it in the dark. It was a specially good one, he said, and the young gentleman could easily return it to him after the holidays, and so on.
Altogether it was a delightful visit, and Stephen wondered more than ever how some of the fellows could think ill of Mr Cripps.
“Oh, I say,” said the boy, at parting; “don’t do what you said you would to Loman. I’m not afraid of him, you know.”
“I’d like to knock his ugly head off for him!” cried Mr Cripps, indignantly.
“No, don’t; please don’t! I’d rather not. I dare say he’s sorry for it.”
“I’ll see he is!” growled Mr Cripps.
“Besides, I’ve forgiven him,” said Stephen, “and oughtn’t to have told tales of him; so mind you don’t do it, Mr Cripps, will you?”
“I’ll see,” said Mr Cripps. “Good-bye for the present, young gentleman, and come again soon.”
And so, at peace with all the world, and particularly with himself, Stephen strolled back to Saint Dominic’s, whistling merrily.