him to nab me in Sunday School, an' whack me fer it, pretendin' all the
time it's 'cause I stuck a mouse in the harmonium?'

Dick's contempt for the man who could so misuse his high office was very
fine indeed.

'That's the sorter thing Tinribs does,' said the boy. 'If I yell after
him on a Saturdee, he gammons t' catch me doin' somethin' in school on
Sundee, an' comes down on me with the corner of his bible, 'r screws me
ear.'

Harry considered such conduct despicable, and thought the man who would
take such unfair advantage of a poor boy might be capable of any infamy;
and Dick, encouraged, crept a little nearer.

'I say,' he whispered insinuatingly. 'You could get him any day on the
flat, when he comes over after searchin' the day shift.'

Harry shook his head, and slowly plucked at the dry bark.

'I don't mean to touch him,' he said.

Dick was amazed, and a little hurt, perhaps. His confidence had been
violated in some measure. He thought the matter over for almost a minute.

'Ain't you goin' to go fer him 'cause of her, eh?' he asked.

'Her? Who d'you mean?'

'Miss Chris.'