Jasper turned his glance upon Mrs. Kent.
"You needn't have introduced the subject, Nicholas," she said, withslight reproof.
"Why not, mother?"
"It isn't a proper subject to introduce at the supper-table."
"You see, Jasper didn't half believe what I told him."
"He may rely upon your statement," said Mrs. Kent.
"Am I to understand that my allowance is reduced to three dollars aweek?" asked Jasper, who felt that he had been dragged into thediscussion.
"Yes. I consider that three dollars a week is a liberal allowance for aboy of your age."
"My father gave me five."
"Your father acted according to his judgment," said Mrs. Kent, coldly."On some points I differ from him in judgment. I think that he indulgedyou too much, probably because you were his only child."
"He was always kind to me," said Jasper. "It was his nature to be kind."
"You will find me kind, too, if you deserve it," said his step-mother.But her tone belied her words.
"Nicholas tells me that his allowance is to be five dollars," saidJasper.
"I conceive that the amount of his allowance has nothing to do withyours," said Mrs. Kent.
"Is it true?" persisted Jasper.
"It is," said Mrs. Kent, with a defiant look, which Jasper interpretedto mean "What are you going to do about it?"
"Why is he to receive five dollars, if I am only to get three?"
"Because I choose."
"You have answered rightly," said Jasper, scornfully. "Even you areunable to defend it on the score of fairness or justice."
Mrs. Kent's thin lips compressed.
"Audacious boy!" she exclaimed, "do you dare to speak to me in thisstyle?"
"I am not aware of any impropriety, madam. I am protesting against yourunjust partiality for Nicholas."
"He is my son."
"I am aware of that; but the money out of which the allowance is paidcame to you from my father."
"Do you dare to continue your impertinent remarks?" exclaimed hisstep-mother, pale with rage.
"Madam, I am only stating the truth," said Jasper, sturdily. "You cannotexpect me to submit tamely to such an injustice. Had you reduced myallowance and given Nicholas no more I would have let it pass."
"I won't submit to this impertinence!" exclaimed Mrs. Kent, furiously."Nicholas, will you sit there and see your mother insulted?"
"What do you want me to do, mother?" asked Thorne, not exactly likingthe turn matters had taken.
"Put that unmannerly boy out of the room."
"Oh, there ain't any need of that," said Thorne, who knew by experienceJasper's strength.
"Do as I say, or I will give you no allowance at all!" said Mrs. Kent,stamping her foot angrily.
Nicholas unwillingly arose from his seat and approached Jasper.
"You'd better not try it, Thorne," said Jasper, coolly.
"Do you hear that, sir? He has insulted you, too," said Mrs. Kent, in afurious passion.
It was these words, perhaps, that spurred Nicholas to his task. Jasperhad now risen, and Thorne threw himself upon him.
But Jasper was prepared. In less time than I have required to tell it,Thorne found himself prostrate on the floor.
"Madam," said Jasper, turning to his step-mother, "I am ready to leaveyour presence now, but of my own accord."
He left the room. Mrs. Kent was too astonished to speak. She had felt nodoubt that Nicholas was more than a match for Jasper, as he certainlywas bigger, and weighed twenty pounds more.
"My poor boy!" she said, pitifully, bending over her son; "are you muchhurt?"
"Yes," said Nicholas; "and it's all on account of you!"
"I thought you were stronger than he."
"So I am, but he knows how to wrestle; besides, he's so quick."
"I thought you could have put him out easily."
"Well, don't set me to doing it again," said Thorne, sulkily. "I didn'twant to fight. You made me."
"Don't mind it, my dear boy. It was because I was angry with him."
"Oh, how my head aches!"
"I'll put on some cologne. I'll give you an extra five dollars, too, forstanding by your mother."
"All right, mother," said Thorne, in a more cheerful tone. "That's theway to talk. Give it to me now."
Jasper did not see either of them again that evening. He called on afriend, and, entering the house at ten o'clock, went directly to his ownroom.
CHAPTER XII.
A SCHEME OF VENGEANCE.
Mrs. Kent had never cared for Jasper. Since the marriage she haddisliked him. Now that he had struck down Nicholas in her presence, shepositively hated him. She did not stop to consider that he was provokedto it, and only acted in self-defense. She thirsted for revenge--more,indeed, than Nicholas, who, bully as he was, having been fairly worsted,was disposed to accept his defeat philosophically. If he could annoy orthwart Jasper he would have been glad to do it, but he did not desire toinjure him physically.
Not so Mrs. Kent.
Her darling had been assaulted and defeated in her presence. She did notagain wish to put him against Jasper lest he should be again defeated,but she wished Jasper, her detested step-son, to drink the same cup ofhumiliation which had been forced upon Nicholas.
So she sat pondering how to accomplish the object she had in view. Shecould not herself beat Jasper, though, had he been younger and smaller,she would certainly have attempted it. She must do it by deputy.
Under the circumstances she thought of Tom Forbes, a strong and stalwarthired man, who had been for some months working on the place. Probablyhe would not like the task, but she would threaten to discharge him ifhe refused to obey her commands, and this, she thought, would bring himaround.
"I wonder where Jasper is?" said Nicholas, about eight o'clock, as hesat opposite the little table where his mother was sewing.
"Gone out, I suppose," said Mrs. Kent.
"He found the house too hot to hold him," suggested Thorne.
"He certainly will if he conducts himself in the future as he hasalready done. He makes a mistake if he thinks I will tolerate suchconduct."
"It's because you're a woman," said her son. "Boys of his age don't makemuch account of women."
"Do you speak for yourself as well as for him?" asked Mrs. Kent,sharply.
"Of course not," said Nicholas, whose interest it was to keep on goodterms with his mother. "Of course not; besides, you are my mother."
"You are much more of a gentleman than Jasper is," said his mother,appeased.
"I hope so," said Nicholas.
"As for him, I consider him a young ruffian."
"So he is," said Thorne, who was ready to assent to anything that hismother might say.
"And yet his father thought him a paragon!" continued Mrs. Kent, her lipcurling. "It is strange how parents can be deceived!"
Unconsciously she illustrated the truth of this remark in her ownperson. She considered Nicholas handsome, spirited, and amiable--indeed,as an unusually fascinating and attractive boy. To others he was big,overgrown, malicious, and stupid. But then mothers are apt to lookthrough different spectacles from the rest of the world.
"I guess Jasper'll want to change his guardian," said Thorne, laughing."You and he won't hitch horses very well."
"Don't use such a common expression, Nicholas. I want you to grow up awell-bred gentleman."
"Oh, well, I mean to. But I say, if his father liked him so much, whatmade him appoint you to take care of him?"
"He didn't know how I felt toward Jasper. I humored his fancies, andtreated him better than I felt toward him."
"Then you wanted to be his guardian?"
"Yes, I wanted to pay off old scores," said Mrs. Kent, again compressingher lips with unpleasant firmness.
"What made you dislike him?" asked her son, with curiosity.
"He was opposed to my marriage. He would have stopped it if he could,but there I got the better of hi
m. When he found that he was too late hetreated me with coldness. He never liked me."
"By Jove! I don't think he's had much reason," said Nicholas, laughingboisterously.
"He'll regret not having treated me with more attention. I can thwartall his plans and make his life very uncomfortable."
"I'll trust you to do that, mother. You've got spunk enough."
"Don't say 'spunk,' Nicholas."
"What shall I say, then?"
"Resolution--firmness."
"It's all the same."
"There is a choice in words. Remember, my dear boy, I want you to be arefined and cultivated gentleman."
"Well, I can be, now you're rich. But I say, mother, what are you goingto do? You ain't going to stick down in this dull place all your life,are you?"
"No, Nicholas. In the summer we'll go travelling."
"Good!" exclaimed Nicholas, with satisfaction. "Where will we go?"
"How would you like to go to Niagara Falls?"
"Bully!"
"Or to Saratoga?"
"I don't know much about that."
"It is a fashionable place."
"Can a fellow have fun there?"
"Of course he can."
"Then I'd like to go. But I say, are you going to take Jasper, too?"
"No," said Mrs. Kent, decidedly. "I certainly shall not give him so muchpleasure."
"I don't know. I might like it better if I had a fellow of my own age togo around with."
"You will find plenty of companions more agreeable than Jasper."
"All right, mother. I suppose you know best."
"You can trust me to provide for your happiness, Nicholas. It is all Ilive for."
The next morning Mrs. Kent arose early, and summoned the hired man, TomForbes.
"Tom," said she, "have you a good whip?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"And a strong arm?"
"Middlin', ma'am," answered the wondering hired man.
"I want you to be in the kitchen, provided with your whip, whenbreakfast is over."
"What for?" asked Tom, in surprise.
"Never mind now. I shall inform you at the time."
"All right, ma'am."
Twenty minutes later, Jasper, unaware of his step-mother's benevolentintentions, took his seat at the breakfast-table.
CHAPTER XIII.
MRS. KENT IS FOILED.
Breakfast was a quiet meal. Mrs. Kent preserved a frigid silence towardJasper, interrupted only by necessary questions. Nicholas, whounderstood that there was a row in prospect, occasionally smiled as helooked across the table at Jasper, but he, too, was silent.
When breakfast was over, and the three arose from the table, Mrs. Kentsaid, in a cold voice:
"Jasper Kent, I have something to say to you."
"Very well," said Jasper, taking a seat and looking expectant.
"Yesterday you conducted yourself in a most improper manner."
"Please explain," said Jasper, quietly.
"You ought not to require any explanation. You made an assault uponNicholas."
"I beg pardon, Mrs. Kent, but he made an assault upon me."
"You knocked him down."
"Not until he attacked me."
"He did so by my direction."
"Did you expect me to make no resistance?" asked Jasper.
"You had insulted me, and it was his duty, as my son, to resent it."
"I don't think you have any right to say that I insulted you, and youwould not have any reason to complain of me if you would treat me withordinary justice and politeness."
"You are insulting me now," said Mrs. Kent, angrily.
"I am telling the truth. I am sorry that it is the truth. I would preferto live on good terms with you."
"And have your own way!" said his step-mother, sarcastically. "Iunderstand you, but I will have you know that I am mistress in thishouse. Are you ready to apologize for having attacked Nicholas?"
"I did not wish to do it, especially as he didn't attack me of his ownaccord, but if he should do so again I should act in the same manner."
"Insolent!" exclaimed his step-mother, reddening.
"You have peculiar ideas of insolence," said Jasper, quietly. "I believein defending myself, but I shouldn't like to harm Nicholas."
"You have undertaken to rebel against my authority," said Mrs. Kent,"but you don't understand me. I am not to be bullied or overcome by aboy."
"You are in no danger of either from me, madam."
"I shall take care not to give you the power. Nicholas, call Tom."
Jasper looked at his step-mother in amazement. What had Tom Forbes to dowith their colloquy.
Nicholas opened the door of the adjoining room, the kitchen, andsummoned the hired man.
Ignorant of why he was wanted, for Mrs. Kent had not informed him, hecame into the room, and looked about with a perplexed expression.
He was a tall, strong-looking fellow, country-bred, of about twenty-fiveor six.
"Where is your whip, Tom?" demanded Mrs. Kent.
"My whip?" repeated Tom.
"Yes; didn't I tell you I wanted you to have it?"
"Yes, ma'am; it's in the kitchen."
"Bring it."
Tom went into the kitchen, and returned bringing the whip.
"What am I to do with it?" he asked.
"I will tell you in a moment. Jasper Kent," said his step-mother,turning to him, "you have rebelled against my just authority, you haveinsulted me in my own house, you have made a brutal attack upon my sonin my presence, and now I am going to have you punished. Tom, I orderyou to give Jasper half a dozen lashes with your whip."
It is hard to tell which looked the more surprised at this brutalcommand, Jasper or the hired man. They looked at each other inamazement, but Tom did not stir.
"Did you hear me?" asked Mrs. Kent, sharply, impatient of the delay.
"Yes, ma'am, I heard you," answered Tom, slowly.
"Why don't you obey, then?" she continued, in the same tone.
"Because," said Tom, with manly independence, "I didn't hire out to doanything of the kind."
"Do you refuse?"
"Yes, I do. You may do your own dirty work."
"It seems you are not only disobedient, but insolent," said Mrs. Kent,angrily.
"You must be crazy, ma'am!" said the hired man, bluntly.
"No more of this. I discharge you from my employment."
"What! for not flogging Master Jasper?"
"For not obeying me."
"I'll follow your directions, ma'am, so far as they are in the line ofduty, but I won't do that."
"I discharge you."
"As to that, ma'am, if I go, I'll let everybody in the village know whyyou sent me away."
For this Mrs. Kent was not altogether prepared. She knew that it was notprudent to defy public opinion. Perhaps she had already gone too far.She put a great constraint upon herself, and said:
"Go back to your work. I will speak of this matter hereafter."
Tom withdrew at once, glad of the opportunity. Thus far Mrs. Kent hadbeen foiled, and she knew it. She could scarcely conceal hermortification.
Jasper, who had been passive thus far, now spoke. He felt outraged anddisgusted by his step-mother's brutal purpose, though it had failed.
"Mrs. Kent," he said with quiet resolution, "after the scene of thismorning I cannot remain in the same house with you. My father has notbeen dead a week, yet you have treated me in a manner which, though Inever liked you, I could not have thought possible. You are left myguardian. I do not wish to remain another day in this house. Have I yourpermission to return to school?"
"No," said his step-mother.
"Why not?"
"Because you wish it. I do not mean to let you have your own way."
"I am willing to go to another school, if you insist upon it."
"You will go to no school. You will stay here."
"In this house?"
"Yes."
 
; "With the opinion which you have of me, Mrs. Kent, I should hardly thinkthis would be very agreeable to you."
"It will not. I hate the sight of you!" said his step-mother, withenergy.
"I am sorry for that, but I am not surprised. From the way you havetreated me, I should think so. Won't it be better for as both to beseparated?"
"It will gratify your wishes, and therefore I order you to remain here."
"That we may have more such scenes as yesterday and to-day?"
"No; I am determined to break your rebellious will, and teach you toobey me implicitly."
"I have only to ask if you have fully made up your mind," said Jasper,quietly, but with suppressed excitement.
"I mean precisely what I say."
"Then, madam, I shall have to leave this house and go out into theworld. I shall find more kindness among strangers than here."
"I have heard boys talk like this before," said Mrs. Kent, withcontemptuous incredulity.
"Boys sometimes mean what they say," retorted Jasper.
He took his hat and left the room without another word.
"I say, mother," said Nicholas, "suppose he don't come back?"
"There's no fear of that," said Mrs. Kent, coldly.
"But I say, mother, he's pretty plucky, Jasper is."