SUMMER. 85 



Shin enters. Dick and I were antipodes in every sense of the word. 

 Physically we were as a match and a billiard ball, he being the lucifer. 

 He was also my btte noire, and he never missed an opportunity to vent 

 his spite. Accordingly he stalked toward us, and with a violent push 

 sent Cuthbert pell-mell on to me. In falling, he stepped heavily on my 

 foot, and hurt me severely, which accounted for my excited expression as 

 I threw him from me. 



Of course Mr. Snug had to come in just at this time, and seeing us 

 in what looked to him very like a fight, he took us firmly by the ears 

 and stood us side by side, while I ventured to explain. 



" Not a word !" exclaimed he, in a tone there was no mistaking. "You 

 two boys may cool off on a trip to Moody Barn, after which you will 

 report to me in the Tower. Now go." 



Whatever may have been the state of my mind a few moments before, 

 I was now mad in earnest, and with every bit of my latent obstinacy 

 aroused, I sauntered out on to the porch. 



" Cool off, old boy," whispered a grating voice at my side, as I turned 

 and met the gaze of Dick Shin, motioning with his thumb in the direc- 

 tion of Moody Barn — " cool off ; you need it ;" and his ample mouth 

 stretched into a sneering grin. 



I had already formed an intention, but now it was a resolve. 



" Cuthbert," said I to my quiet and less choleric companion, when 

 some distance down the road, " I am not going on that trip." 



" Not going !" replied he, with surprise ; " why, you'll have to go." 



" But I wont go, and that settles it. It's confounded unjust that we're 

 sent, anyhow, and I don't propose to stand it." 



" I think so too," answered Cuthbert, with hesitating emphasis ; " but 

 what '11 we do ? We'll have to report to Mr. Snug, you know; that's the 

 worst of it." 



" Well, I'll be spokesman, and I'll lie before I'll go on that trip." 



I was boiling over with righteous wrath, but Cuthbert never was 

 known to boil ; he only simmered a little, but readily seconded my plan. 

 We stopped at Kirby Corners, and there, secluded from view in the 

 bushes, we spent the interval. Cuthbert had a watch, and by the light 

 of the rising moon we were enabled to fix the full period for the trip. 

 One hour and a half we allowed — an abundant limit. During this time 

 I had completely " cooled off," and had schooled myself to that point 

 where I could tell a lie with a smooth face and a clear conscience. 



