Permit me to say that you acted quite right, and I commend you for it.

The boys of Scranton are deeply indebted to you for punishing a brutal bully.

I understand that it has always been much against your principles to engage in a fight; which makes your championing the cause of a weaker boy all the more justifiable." "Oh! you are giving me far too much credit, Doctor Carmack," said Hugh, reddening with confusion.

"I could hardly claim I had any great scruples about not engaging in such things that are almost universal among boys.

But years ago I promised my mother never to let my temper get the better of me; and under no conditions to strike a companion in anger, unless it was to save myself from a beating, or to whip a bully who was abusing some one weaker than himself." "Then you have a very wise mother, Hugh, let me tell you!" declared the gentleman, who knew boys "like a book," from long association with thousands of them.