You wouldn't do that of your own accord." "How do you know that ?" "I don't think you would," said the boy.
If any one had told Aspinall, ten minutes ago, he would be talking to Dick in this strain, he would have scouted the idea as a bit of chaff.
As it was, he could hardly believe he had said as much as he had, and waited, in an uncomfortable sort of way, for Dick's next remark.
"Oh! that's what you think, is it ?" "Please don't be angry," pleaded the boy, "you asked me." "What about Heathcote ?" demanded Dick, abruptly, after a pause.
"What do you mean, Dick ?" "I mean, is he making a mess of it, too ?" "Oh, Dick; I never said you were making a mess, of it." "Well, then, is Heathcote being led astray ?" "I don't know.

He seems different; and talks funnily about things." "Does what?
I never heard Georgie talk funnily about things, and I've known him a good bit.

Who's leading him astray?
Am I ?" Poor Aspinall was on the tight-rope again, at the most ticklish part.
For he did think Dick was running Heathcote into mischief, unintentionally, no doubt, but still unmistakably, "Am I ?" repeated Dick, rounding on his man, and fixing him with his eyes.
"Heathcote's not so strong-minded as you are, Dick, and when he sees you doing things, I fancy he thinks he can do them too.

But he can't pull up like you, and so he gets into rows." "Oh!" said Dick, returning to his quill pen, and completing its demolition.

Then he pulled out the letter, and read it to himself again, and this time, instead of returning it to his pocket, twisted it up into a spill, and lit the gas with it.
"What should you say was the English of 'Dominat qui in se dominatur,' young 'un," he asked, casually, when the operation was complete.
"Why, that's one of the mottoes in the Quad," said Aspinall, wondering what on earth this had to do with Heathcote's rows.