He had acquired the boy's admiration and deferential respect, and he wasn't willing to throw these precious things away, a result sure to follow if he should give the address of that boarding house.

So he said again that he would call and get the telegram, and went his way.
He idled along, reflecting.

He said to himself, "There is something pleasant about being respected.

I have acquired the respect of Mr.
Allen and some of those others, and almost the deference of some of them on pure merit, for having thrashed Allen.

While their respect and their deference--if it is deference--is pleasant, a deference based upon a sham, a shadow, does really seem pleasanter still.