“What did he mean by talking about favourites, then?” said Steerforth at length.

“Favourites?” repeated Mr. Creakle, with the veins in his forehead swelling quickly. “Who talked about favourites?”

“He did,” said Steerforth.

“And pray, what did you mean by that, sir?” demanded Mr. Creakle, turning angrily on his assistant.

“I meant, Mr. Creakle,” he returned in a low voice, “as I said; that no pupil had a right to avail himself of his position of favouritism to degrade me.”