Suddenly Heywood stepped back, and lowering his point, looked into his pupil's face, long and earnestly.
"For the last time," he said: "won't you let me tell him?
This is extremely silly." Rudolph hung his head, like a stubborn child.
"Do you still think," he answered coldly, "that I would beg off ?" With a hopeless gesture of impatience, Heywood stepped forward briskly.
"Very well, then.

Once more." And as their blades clashed softly together, a quick light danced in his eyes.

"Here's how our friend will stick you!" His point cut a swift little circle, and sped home.

By a wild instinct, the novice beat it awkwardly aside.

His friend laughed, poised again, disengaged again, but in mid-career of this heartless play, stumbled and came pitching forward.