“ Mr. Wrayburn, at least I know very well that it would be idle to set myself against you in insolent words or overbearing manners. That lad 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.”