The record-union., 1899-06-18

II told her." Bunny continued, s'that
was thinking Of writing to my father
about your conduct to me lately. It's
became jolly insufferable, can tell
you."
Mr.. Baker was on the point Of in
flicting summary chastisement on the
spot, but he managed to contain HIM
self, and to await further information.
"Of course" Bunny pursued, "she
was naturally very much annoyed to
hear that any one could treat her bro
ther in such way, and'' 49,
did she say so?"
No, she didn't exactly say so, but she
looked as If she was She's got very
expressive face, hasn't she, sir?"
"Urquhart," the master began wrath
fully
"Oh, all right. don't be shirty. II q
fellow can't talk about his own sister.
whose sister can he talk about, 1 should
like to know? WE'LL. though she was
very much annoyed, she interceded for
you, and said that if the matter was
put before you in it's proper light you
might manage to behave yourself. I
had some doubts myself, you know"
There are limits, Urquhart," the un-
fortunate man said angrily.
That's just what said to her." Bum
ny interrupted imperturbably. "She
asked me to give you this note.''
Mr.. Baker read the note rapidly. It
set out the absolute necessity of molli-
flying Bunny for the present, and the
possibly unpleasant consequences Of
parental Intervention
You young scoundrel!" he exclaimed,
"I've a very good mind to knock you
down.
Bunny only grinned.
do you think it manly, Urquhart,
he asked, ''to attempt to shelter your
self behind your sister? It's not manly,
it's not honorable"
Its jolly convenient" Bunny said.
Mr.. Baker rose and paced up and
down the room, while Bunny watched
him with ill-concealed delight.
I'm very much disappointed in you,
he said at last; very
much. 81 had hoped you had turned
over a new leaf. You've been working
better lately, and I intended to take
off satisfecit at the end Of the week,
but / don't see how I can do it now.
It's a most unpleasant position. Much
as I should like to, I can't have you
caned, because you're not idle enough
to be caned; and I can't take you of
satisfecit, because then you'd say that
[ was afraid of your complaints to your
father"
Bunny looked a little shocked and
He had not supposed that
the situation would strike Old Jimmy
quite in that light. hut after mo-
ment's reflection his equanimity return
ed. He concluded that this was jim
my's tactful way of leading up to a
surrender.
"Oh, Of course, if you see now how
hard I really work, it's quite easy," he
said triumphantly you just chuck
up the satisfecit business and we'll say
NO more about it,"
wen say no more about it, won't
we?" the master answered, eyeing him
grimly.
It certainly sha'nt." Bunny replied
with apparent magnanimity. In fact
[ promised my sister to hush the thing
up as far as I could"
Your natural good feeling would OF
course compel you to do that, Urqu-
hart?" Mr.. Baker answered. There
was a twitch about the corners OF his
mouth which Bunny did not notice.
"Oh. I'm all right when I'm treated
the latter ramakred.
Very we'll, Urquhart," the master
said, "Ive decided what am going to
of course to your approval.
want day or two to think this over.
As a boy of the world. you can't,
suppose, object to that. I'll undertake
to- sign your satisfeci,s till Saturday,
and then you can come and talk mat
ters over again with me. Would that
suit your
'Pd rather have the satisfecit taken
off aDtogether at once" Bunny answer
ed. ta.>a.4. III
Surely" said Mr.. Baker, smilingly,
you can understand that there must
we say?-a certain amount OF
fiction in a delicate affair like this. 1t
do-ah! see, you follow me.
You mustn't be too hard even on a
master when he's down."
IAN right" Bunny agreed unsusp1-
ciously in the flush of victory. It
shouldn't wonder if that wouldn't be
the best way of getting out of il. l
don't want to be harder on you than
I can help, you know"
Very good of you, I'm sure, UrQu-
hart" the master replied. "Shall we
say 5 o'clock on Saturday? Well, here's
your satisfecit for to-day. I'm afraid
we must end this interesting converse
ton now, or you'll be late for tea"
Bunny would have been d. little sur
prised at Jimmy's behavior after his
departure In his minds eye he con-
jured up picture of his victim in
state of limp modification at his de-
feat-a picture which he drew in lurid
color for the amusement of the delight
ed Ellis minor. AS a matter of fact,
the victim sat back in his armchair and
rippled with silent laughter. He was
aware, but Bunny was not, of one i'm.
portant circumstance. On the follow
ing Friday the election was to be made
to the head mastership for which Mr..
Baker was candidate.
For the rest of the week Bunny rev.
elled in the sweets Of victory. After
fortnight of satisfecit. period Of abb
solute and entire idleness came to him
with an added pleasure. and he made
use of his opportunity to the utter
most. To go into form in a state OF
complete ignorance and without the
slightest feeling Of apprehension as to
the consequences was sensation