He did every thing, in fact, but study the house which he had been asking permission to draw.

He looked as if for something or somebody who did not appear.

But as Hiram still stood watching him, he moved away.
He walked faster as he approached the gate.

He opened it; flung it to behind him, broke into a little trot, and almost tumbled over Gabriel Bennet and Little Malacca as he did so.
The collision was rude, and the three boys stopped.
"You'd better look where you're going," said Gabriel, sharply, his cheeks reddening and swelling.
Abel's first impulse was to strike; but he restrained himself, and in the most contemptuous way said merely, "Ah, the Reverend Gabriel Bennet!" He had scarcely spoken when Gabriel fell upon him like a young lion.
So sudden and impetuous was his attack that for a moment Abel was confounded.

He gave way a little, and was well battered almost before he could strike in return.