“As you have probably received a lesson, I will not punish you as I had anticipated.  I will sentence you, however, to commit to memory the first fifty lines of Virgil’s ‘AEneid.’  Mr. Crabb, will you see that Roscoe performs his penance?”

“Yes, sir,” said Crabb, faintly.

“Is your nephew also to perform a penance?” asked Hector, undaunted.

“Silence, sir!  What right have you to question me on this subject?”

“Because, sir, he is more to blame than I.”

“I don’t know that.  I am not at all sure that your story is correct.”

Mr. Crabb, meek as he was, was indignant at this flagrant partiality.

“Mr. Smith,” he said, “I happen to know that Roscoe’s story is strictly correct, and that your nephew made an unprovoked attack upon him.”

Hector looked grateful, and Jim Smith furious.

“Mr. Crabb,” said Socrates, angrily, “I did not ask your opinion.  So far as my nephew is concerned, I will deal with him privately.  Boys, you may begin your studies.”

All the boys understood that Jim was to be let off, and they thought it a shame.  But Mr. Crabb took care to make Hector’s penance as light as possible.

And thus passed the first day at Smith Institute.

CHAPTER XV.

The usher confides in Hector.

Mr. Crabb acted rashly in siding with Hector, and speaking against Mr. Smith’s nephew.  Socrates showed his displeasure by a frigid demeanor, and by seeking occasions for snubbing his assistant.  On the other hand, Hector felt grateful for his intercession, and an intimacy sprang up between them.

A few days afterward, on a half holiday, Mr. Crabb said:  “Roscoe, I am going out for a walk.  Do you care to accompany me?”

“I will do so with pleasure,” said Hector, sincerely.

“Mr. Crabb,” he said, after they were fairly on their way, “I am sorry to see that Mr. Smith has not forgiven you for taking my part against Jim.”

“I would do it again, Roscoe,” said the usher.  “I could not sit silent while so great an injustice was being done.”

“Do you think Jim was punished?”

“I am sure he was not.  He is a boy after Mr. Smith’s own heart, that is, he possesses the same mean and disagreeable qualities, perhaps in a greater degree.  Has he interfered with you since?”

“No,” answered Hector, smiling; “he probably found that I object to being bullied.”

“You are fortunate in being strong enough to withstand his attacks.”

“Yes,” said Hector, quietly; “I am not afraid of him.”

“Bullies are generally cowards,” said the usher.

“I wonder, Mr. Crabb, you are willing to stay at Smith Institute, as usher to such a man as Mr. Smith.”

“Ah, Roscoe!” said Mr. Crabb, sighing; “it is not of my own free will that I stay.  Poverty is a hard task-master.  I must teach for a living.”