wrinkle, until at times it appeared as if he were actually going to screw
his own neck by sheer force of repressed hilarity.

'I am incorruptible, Miss Grey,' he said. 'Take back your precious jewel;
but I promise you this, my dear, our friend Dick shall not get as much as
he deserves. Boys are like some metals, Miss Kitty, their temper is
improved by hammering.'

Kitty left the master, entirely in the dark as to the effect of her
intercession; but evidently it was not of much advantage to Dick. When
the boy came from the school about half an hour later, he carried his
chin high, his lips were compressed tightly, and he stared straight
ahead. Three faithful friends who had waited to know the worst joined
him, but no words were spoken. They followed at his heels, showing by
their silence due respect for a profound emotion. Dick did not make for
home; he turned off to the right and led the way down into one of the
large quarries on the flat, and there turned a flushed face and a pair of
flashing eyes upon his mates.

'I'm going to have it out of Ham,' he said. 'I don't care! He's a dog,
and he ain't goin' to do as he likes with me.'

'How many, Dick?' asked Ted eagerly.

'Dunno,' said Dick, exposing his hands; 'he jus' cut away till he was
tired, chi-ikin' me all the time. But I'll get even, you see!'

Dick's palms were very puffy; there were a couple of blue blisters on his
fingers, and across each wrist an angry-looking white wheal. The boys
were sufficiently impressed, and, in spite of his wrath against Joel Ham,