“Yes, he was,” said Gilks (who had good reason to know); “but he had a right to do it. This cub hasn’t.”
“What did Riddell say?”
“What did he say? He said it didn’t make what I said any better worth hearing for sticking in an oath, and that— Oh, I don’t know what precious impudence he didn’t give me.”
“Ha, ha,” said Silk, “it wasn’t bad. But I agree with you, the fellow is a prig—”
“I know I mean to make a stand now,” said Gilks. “He shan’t stick up his sanctimonious nose over us all, now he’s captain, if I can help it.”
“Why, what will you do?” asked Silk.
“Do! I’ll punch his head the first time he dare lecture me.”
“My dear fellow,” said Silk, “don’t be such a fool. You won’t do a bit of good by that. If you do want to pay him out, pay him out in his own coin.”
“How do you mean?” inquired Gilks.
“I mean, keep a sharp lookout till you catch his holiness tripping.”