"I don't care how many prizes Rathburn chooses to give his favorite.

I rather think I can get along without them." John's face was turned toward the door, otherwise he would have observed the approach of the teacher, and spoken with more caution.

But it was too late.

The words had been spoken above his ordinary voice, and were distinctly heard by the teacher.

He looked sharply at John Haynes, whose glance fell before his, but without a word passed into the schoolroom.
"See if you don't get a blowing-up, John," said Dick Jones.
"What do I care!" said John, but in a tone too subdued to be heard by any one else.