farther, I'll lick thee myself to-morrow, lad, I promise thee.'

Stephen hoisted the sack upon his shoulders in silence, and strode away
with a swelling heart, in which a tumult of anger and perplexity was
raging. 'If I had only a commandment about these things!' he thought. He
was not quite certain whether it would not have been best and wisest to
fight with Tim and have it out; especially as Tim was all the time
taunting him for being a coward. But his father had read much to him
during the last three months; and though he could not remember any
particular commandment, he felt sure that the Bible did not encourage
fighting or drunkenness. Suddenly, and before they reached the end of Red
Lane, a light burst upon Stephen's mind.

'I say, Tim,' he said, speaking to him for the first time, 'it's four
miles to the New Farm, and I'll go with thee a mile farther than Red
Lane.'

'Eh!' cried Tim; 'and get Black Thompson to lick me to-morrow?'

'No,' said Stephen earnestly, 'I'll not tell Black Thompson; and if he
hears talk of it, I'll say I did it of my own mind. Come thy ways, Tim;
let's be sharp, for I've my potatoes to hoe when I get home to-night.'

The boys walked briskly on for a few minutes, past the end of Red Lane,
though Stephen cast a wistful glance up it, and gave an impatient jerk to
the load upon his shoulders. Tim had been walking beside him in silent
reflection; but at last he came to a sudden halt.

'I can't make it out,' he said. 'What art thee up to, Stephen? Tell me
out plain, or I'll fight thee here, if Black Thompson does lick me for