Among the boys of Smith Institute there was but one opinion on thesubject of the principal's wallet. All acquitted Roscoe of having anypart in the theft, and they were equally unanimous in the belief thatJim Smith had contrived a mean plot against the boy whom he could notconquer by fair means. There was a little informal consultation asto how Jim should be treated. It was finally decided to "send him toCoventry."
As this phrase, which is well understood in English schools, may not beso clear to my readers, I will explain that Jim was to be refused noticeby his schoolfellows, unless he should become aggressive, when he was tobe noticed in a manner far from agreeable.
Jim could not help observing the cold looks of the boys, who but latelywere glad enough to receive notice from him, and he became very angry.As to being ashamed of the exposure, he was not sensitive, nor didhe often have any feeling of that kind. Naturally vindictive, hefelt especially angry with the two boys, Ben Platt and Wilkins, whosetestimony had proved so uncomfortable for him.
"I'll thrash those boys if I never thrash another," he said to himself."So they have turned against me, have they? They're only fit to black myboots anyway. I'll give 'em a lesson."
Platt and Wilkins were expecting an attack. They knew that Jim wouldseize the opportunity of attacking them singly, and in the absence ofHector, of whom he was afraid, and with good reason. They concertedmeasures, accordingly, for defeating the common enemy.
Jim was stalking about the next day, looking sullen and feeling ugly.He could not help observing that whenever he approached a group of boysthey immediately scattered and walked away in various directions. Thisnaturally chafed him, for, having no intellectual resources, he foundsolitude oppressive. Besides, he had been accustomed to the role ofboss, and where is a boss without followers?
Tired of the schoolroom precincts, Jim went to walk. In a rustic lane,much to his delight, he saw approaching him one of the boys who had soseriously offended him.
It was Ben Platt.
Ben was sauntering along in idle mood when he came face to face with thedethroned boss.
"So it's you, Platt, is it?" said Jim, grimly.
"I believe it is," answered Ben, coolly.
"I've got a word or two to say to you," said Jim, significantly.
"Say them quick," said Ben, "for I'm in a hurry."
"I'm not," said Jim, in his old tone, "and it makes no differencewhether you are or not."
"Indeed! you are as polite as usual," returned Ben.
"Look here, you young whelp!" Jim broke forth, unable any longer torestrain his wrath, "what, did you mean by lying about me last evening?"
"I didn't lie about you," said Ben, boldly.
"Yes, you did. What made you say you saw me put that wallet intoRoscoe's pocket?"
"I can't think of any reason, unless because it was true," said Ben.
"Even if it were, how dared you turn against me? First you play the spy,and then informer. Paugh!"
"I see you admit it," said Ben. "Well, if you want an answer I will giveyou one. You laid a plot for Hector Roscoe--one of the meanest, dirtiestplots I ever heard of, and I wasn't going to see you lie him into ascrape while I could prevent it."
"That's enough, Platt!" exclaimed Jim, furiously. "Now, do you know whatI am going to do?"
"I don't feel particularly interested in the matter."
"You will be, then. I am going to thrash you."
"You wouldn't if Hector Roscoe were here," said Ben, not appearing to bemuch frightened.
"Well, he isn't here, though if he were it wouldn't make any difference.I'll whip you so you can't stand."
Ben's reply was to call "Wilkins!"
From a clump of bushes, where he had lurked, unobserved hitherto, sprangWilkins, and joined his friend.
"There are two of us, Smith!" said Ben Platt.
"I can thrash you both," answered Jim, whose blood was up.
Before the advent of Hector no two boys would have ventured to engageJim in combat, but his defeat by a boy considerably smaller had lost himhis prestige, and the boys had become more independent. He still fanciedhimself a match for both, however, and the conflict began. But both ofhis antagonists were in earnest, and Jim had a hard time.
Now, it so happened that Mr. Crabb, the usher, was taking a solitarywalk, and had approached the scene of conflict unobserved by any of theparticipants. He arrived at an opportune time. Jim had managed to drawWilkins away, and by a quick movement threw him. He was about to dealhis prostrate foe a savage kick, which might have hurt him seriously,when the usher, quiet and peaceful as he was by nature, could restrainhimself no longer. He rushed up, seized him by the collar, dragged himback and shook him with a strength he did not suppose he possessed,saying:
"Leave that boy alone, you brute!"
Jim turned quickly, and was very much surprised when he saw the meekusher, whom he had always despised, because he looked upon him as a MissNancy.
"So it's you, is it?" he said, with a wicked glance.
"Yes, it is I," answered the usher, manfully; "come up just in time tostop your brutality."
"Is it any of your business?" demanded Jim, looking as if he would liketo thrash the usher.
"I have made it my business. Platt and Wilkins, I advise you to joinme, and leave this fellow, who has so disgraced himself as to be beneathyour notice."
"We will accompany you with pleasure, sir," said the boys.
They regarded the usher with new respect for this display of courage,for which they had not given him credit.
"I'll fix you, Crabb," said Jim Smith, insolently, "and don't you forgetit!"
Mr. Crabb did not deign to answer him.
Jim Smith was as good as his word.
An hour later Mr. Crabb was summoned to the presence of the principal.
Socrates received him with marked coldness.
"Mr. Crabb," he said, "I cannot conceal the amazement I feel at acomplaint which has just been made by my nephew."
"Well, sir?"
Mr. Crabb had nerved himself for the worst, and did not cower or showsigns of fear, as Socrates expected he would.
"James tells me that you attacked him savagely this afternoon when hewas having a little sport with two of his schoolfellows."
"Is that what he says, Mr. Smith?"
"Yes, sir, and I require an explanation."
"You shall have it. The sport in which your nephew was engaged wasattempting to thrash Wilkins. He had him down, and was about to deal hima savage kick when I fortunately came up."
"And joined in the fight," sneered Socrates.
"Yes, if you choose to put it so. Would you have had me stand by, andsee Wilkins brutally used?"
"Of course, you color the affair to suit yourself," said Socrates,coldly. "The fact is that you, an usher, have lowered yourself by takingpart in a playful schoolboy contest."
"Playful!" repeated Mr. Crabb.
"Yes, and I shall show how I regard it by giving you notice that I nolonger require your services in my school. I shall pay you up at the endof the week and then discharge you."
"Mr. Smith," said the usher, "permit me to say that anything moredisgraceful than your own conduct within the last twenty-four hours Ihave never witnessed. You have joined your nephew in a plot to disgracean innocent boy, declining to do justice, and now you have capped theclimax by censuring me for stopping an act of brutality, merely becauseyour nephew was implicated in it!"
"This to me?" exclaimed Socrates Smith, hardly crediting the testimonyof his ears.
"Yes, sir, and more! I predict that the stupid folly which hascharacterized your course will, within six months, drive from you everyscholar you have in your school!"
"Mr. Crabb," gasped Socrates, never more surprised in his life thanhe was at the sudden spirit exhibited by the usher, "I will not be soinsulted. Leave me, and to-morrow morning leave my service."
"I will, sir. I have no desire to remain here longer."
But when Mr. Crabb had walked awa
y his spirit sank within him. How washe to obtain another situation? He must consult immediately with HectorRoscoe, in whose judgment, boy as he was, he reposed great confidence.
CHAPTER XXII. THE WELCOME LETTER.