“That was the substance of what he said, though he did not admit the insult.”

“But for that I should not have attacked him.”

“I do not care to interfere in boys’ quarrels, except in extreme cases,” said Mr. Roscoe.  “I am afraid Guy was aggravatiag, and you were unnecessarily violent.”

“It doesn’t seem to me so,” said Hector.

“So I regard it.  I have warned him not to add by taunts to the poignancy of your disappointment.  I request you to remember that Guy is my son, and that I am disposed to follow my brother’s directions, and provide for and educate you.”

Hector bowed and retired.  He went out with a more favorable opinion of Allan Roscoe, who had treated the difficulty in a reasonable manner.

Allan Roscoe looked after him as he went out.

“I hate that boy,” he said, to himself; “I temporize from motives of policy, but I mean to tame his haughty spirit yet.”

CHAPTER V.

Preparing to leave home.

Allan Roscoe’s remonstrance with the two boys had the effect of keeping the peace between them for the remainder of the week.  Guy did not think it prudent to taunt Hector, unless backed up by his father, and he felt that the change in their relative positions was satisfaction enough at present.  Besides, his father, in a subsequent conversation, had told Guy that it was his purpose to place Hector in a boarding school, where the discipline would be strict, and where he would be thrashed if he proved rebellious.

“I shall tell Mr. Smith,” he added, “that the boy needs a strong hand, and that I am not only perfectly willing that he should be punished whenever occasion may call for it, but really desire it.”

“Good, good!” commended Guy, gleefully.  “I hope old Smith’ll lay it on good.”

“I presume he will,” said Allan Roscoe, smiling in sympathy with his son’s exuberance.  “I am told by a man who knows him that he is a tall man, strong enough to keep order, and determined to do it.”

“I should like to be there to see Hector’s first flogging,” remarked the amiable Guy.  “I’d rather see it than go to the theater any time.”

“I don’t see how you can, unless you also enter the school.”

“No, thank you,” answered Guy.  “No boarding school for me.  That isn’t my idea of enjoyment.  I’d rather stay at home with you.  Hector won’t be here to interfere with my using his horse and buggy.”

“They are his no longer.  I give them to you.”

“Thank you, father,” said Guy, very much gratified.

“But I would rather you would not use them till after Hector is gone.  It might disturb him.”

“That’s just why I want to do it.”

“But it might make trouble.  He might refuse to go to school.”

“You’d make him go, wouldn’t you, father?”

“Yes; but I wish to avoid forcible measures, if possible.  Come, Guy, it’s only till Monday; then Hector will be out of the way, and you can do as you please without fear of interference.”