But fagging concerns small boys, not large ones." "Yes!" retorted Gabriel, his eyes flashing, as he kept tossing the ball nervously, and catching it; "yes, that's the meanness of it: the little boy can't help himself." "By golly, I'd kick!" put in Little Malacca.
"Then you'd be licked till you dropped, my small Sir," said Abel, sneeringly.
"Yes, Abel," replied Gabriel, "but it's a mean thing for an American boy to want fagging." "Not at all," he answered; "there are some young American gentlemen I know who would be greatly benefited by being well fagged; yes, made to lie down in the dirt and lick a little of it, and fetch and carry.

And to be kicked out of bed every morning and into bed every night would be the very best thing that could happen to 'em.

By George, I should like to have the kicking and licking begin now!" Gabriel had the same dislike of Abel which the latter felt for him, but they had never had any open quarrel.

Even thus far in the present conversation there had been nothing personal said.

It was only a warm general discussion.