habit of doing when anything stirred him deeply, "that we set those vile
bachelors to their right place; and that is, that they be no longer our
masters, but our fellows."

Gascoyne shook his head. He hated clashing and conflict above all
things, and was for peace. Why should they thus rush to thrust
themselves into trouble? Let matters abide as they were a little longer;
surely life was pleasant enough without turning it all topsy-turvy.
Then, with a sort of indignation, why should Myles, who had only come
among them a month, take such service more to heart than they who had
endured it for years? And, finally, with the hopefulness of so many of
the rest of us, he advised Myles to let matters alone, and they would
right themselves in time.

But Myles's mind was determined; his active spirit could not brook
resting passively under a wrong; he would endure no longer, and now or
never they must make their stand.

"But look thee, Myles Falworth," said Gascoyne, "all this is not to
be done withouten fighting shrewdly. Wilt thou take that fighting upon
thine own self? As for me, I tell thee I love it not."

"Why, aye," said Myles; "I ask no man to do what I will not do myself."

Gascoyne shrugged his shoulders. "So be it," said he. "An thou hast
appetite to run thy head against hard knocks, do it i' mercy's name! I
for one will stand thee back while thou art taking thy raps."

There was a spirit of drollery in Gascoyne's speech that rubbed against
Myles's earnestness.