"I'm awfully sorry they made me promise to keep it close.

But I'll tell you first of all when its settled; and I may be able to give you a leg up before long." Heathcote said he did not want a leg up; and feeling decidedly out of humour, made some excuse to go indoors and hunt up young Aspinall.
On his way he encountered a junior, next to whom he had sat at dinner, and with whom he had then exchanged a few words.
"Where are you going ?" demanded that youthful warrior.
"Indoors," said Heathcote.
"No, you aren't," replied the bravo, standing like a wolf across the way.
It was an awkward position for a pacific boy like Heathcote, who mildly enquired-- "Why not ?" "Because you cheeked me," replied the wolf.
"How?
I didn't mean to," replied the lamb.
"That'll do.

You've got to apologise." "Apologise! What for ?" "Speaking to me at dinner-time." The blood of the Heathcotes began to tingle.
"Suppose I don't apologise ?" asked he.
"You'll be sorry for it." "What will you do ?" "Lick you." "Then," said Heathcote, mildly, "you'd better begin." The youthful champion evidently was not prepared for this cordial invitation, and looked anything but pleased to hear it.
"Well, why don't you begin ?" said Heathcote, following up his advantage.
"Because," said the boy, looking rather uncomfortably around him, "I wouldn't dirty my fingers on such a beast." Now if Heathcote had been a man of the world he would have divined that the present was a rare opportunity for catching his bumptious young friend by the ear, and making him carry out his threat then and there.
But, being a simple-minded new boy, unlearned in the ways of the world, he merely said "Pooh!" and walked on, leaving his assailant in possession of the field, calling out "coward!" and "sneak!" after him till he was out of sight.
He was rather sorry afterwards for his mistake, as it turned out he might have been much more profitably and pleasantly employed outside than in.
Aspinall, whom he had come to look after, was nowhere visible, and, feeling somewhat concerned for his safety, Heathcote ventured to enquire of a junior who was loafing about in the passage, if he knew where the little new fellow was.
"In bed, of course," said the junior, "and I'd advise you not to let yourself be seen, unless you want to get in an awful row," added he solemnly.
"What about ?" asked Heathcote.
"Why, not being in bed.

My eye! it'll be rather warm for you, I tell you, if any of the Fifth catch you." "Why, it's only half-past seven ?" "Well, and don't you know the rule about new boys always having to be in bed by seven ?" exclaimed the junior in tones of alarm.
"No.

I don't believe it is the rule," said Heathcote.
"All right," said the boy, "you needn't believe it unless you like.