"What's my mother to do with him ?" "A great deal, it seems," replied Margetson, "for he promised her, on the strength of her assertion that you were a nice boy, to be your friend, and now he's awfully hurt you won't let him." "I thought it was Tom who was awfully hurt," put in Gus, by way of parenthesis.
"I tell you what it is, you fellows," said Tom, "it may be all very funny for you, but I've had quite enough of it.

Ever since that young canting humbug came here I've led the life of a dog.

If, instead of making a fool of me, you'd tell me how I can pay him out, I should be better pleased." "All very fine," said Margetson; "why don't you pay your own bills ?" "If you want some one to punch his head," said Shadbolt the ugly, "I don't mind trying; my life is insured." "Suppose we make him stupid," suggested Gus, "with milk punch, and shove him inside the doctor's study." "Couldn't you get hold of his watch and boil it ?" said Margetson, who had heard of the experiments practised on me in Mrs Packer's parlour.
"If I got hold of it I'd smash it into fifty pieces!" growled Tom between his teeth.
"Look here, you fellows, I've got a glorious plan!" exclaimed Gus suddenly.
"What is it ?" they all cried.
But Gus's plan requires a new chapter..