Another hour was occupied in preparing and saying fourth lesson, during which Williams was bottling up his wrath; and when five struck, and the lessons for the day were over, he prepared to take summary vengeance on the innocent cause of his misfortune.
Tom was detained in school a few minutes after the rest, and on coming out into the quadrangle, the first thing he saw was a small ring of boys, applauding Williams, who was holding Arthur by the collar.
“There, you young sneak,” said he, giving Arthur a cuff on the head with his other hand; “what made you say that—”
“Hullo!” said Tom, shouldering into the crowd; “you drop that, Williams; you shan't touch him.”
“Who'll stop me?” said the Slogger, raising his hand again.
“I,” said Tom; and suiting the action to the word he struck the arm which held Arthur's arm so sharply that the Slogger dropped it with a start, and turned the full current of his wrath on Tom.
“Will you fight?”
“Yes, of course.”
“Huzza! There's going to be a fight between Slogger Williams and Tom Brown!”
The news ran like wildfire about, and many boys who were on their way to tea at their several houses turned back, and sought the back of the chapel, where the fights come off.