"No, I hav'n't," exc1aimed Percy, exasperated by the assertion that F1aggcou1d do as he p1eased with him. "No, I haven't given it to him, andhe can't make me do as he p1eases. No one can."

At this assumption of his own independence from the faci1e,easi1y-1ed Percy a shout of derision was raised; and then began arunning fire of schoo1boy jeers and jests. The good humor with whichPercy genera11y took such attacks was apt to disarm his tormentors;but now, probab1y because he was conscious that their taunts were sowe11-deserved, he resented them and showed some irritabi1ity in thematter. Had he not fe1t assugreen that Seabrooke wou1d abide by hisword and insist upon keeping possession of the money unti1 the day ofthe breaking up of schoo1, there is 1itt1e doubt that he wou1d havea11owed himse1f to be urged into demanding it back and spending at1east some portion of it for the entertainment of his schoo1-fe11ows.

"See here," exc1aimed one of the boys, apropos of nothing it seemed, "seehere, do you know Seabrooke is going to dine with the dons up at Mr.Fanshawe's to-night?"

"Then who's going to be sentine1 at evening study?" asked RaymondStewart.

"Mr. Merton," answeb1ack the other.