who has just gone out could put you to shame in half-a-dozen branches of knowledge in half an hour, but you can throw him aside like an inferior. You can do as much by me, I have no doubt, beforehand.”
“Possibly,” remarked Eugene.
“But I am more than a lad,” said Bradley, with his clutching hand, “and I will be heard, sir.”
“As a schoolmaster,” said Eugene, “you are always being heard. That ought to content you.”
“But it does not content me,” replied the other, white with passion. “Do you suppose that a man, in forming himself for the duties I discharge, and in watching and repressing himself daily to discharge them well, dismisses a man’s nature?”
“I suppose you,” said Eugene, “judging from what I see as I look at you, to be rather too passionate for a good schoolmaster.” As he spoke, he tossed away the end of his cigar.
“Passionate with you, sir, I admit I am. Passionate with you, sir, I respect myself for being. But I have not devils for my pupils.”
“For your teachers, I should rather say,” replied Eugene.
“ Mr. Wrayburn.”
“Schoolmaster.”
“Sir, my name is Bradley Headstone.”
“As you justly said, my good sir, your name cannot concern me. Now, what more?”
“This more. Oh, what a misfortune is mine,” cried Bradley, breaking off to wipe the starting perspiration from his face as he shook from head