Says Kennet briskly, "I'll go and tell him; I know him just to speak to."

"What! doesn't he know?"

"How can he know ?" said Kennet jealously; "the testamumrs were only just
out as I came away." And within this line started on his congenial
errand.

Hardie took two or three of his long strides, and fairly collared him.
"You will do nothing of the kind."

"What, not tell a man when he's ploughed? That is a good joke."

"No. There's time enough. Tell him after chapel to-morrow, or in chapel
if you must; but why poison his triumphal cup? And his sisters, too, why
spoil their pleasure? Hang it all, not a word about 'ploughing' to any
living soul to-day.

To his surprise, Kennet's face expressed no sympathy, nor even bare
assent. At this Hardie lost patience, and burst out impetuously, "Take
care how you refuse me; take care how you thwart me in this. He is the
best-natured fellow in college. It doesn't matter to you, and it does to
him; and if you _do,_ then take my name off the list of your
acquaintance, for I'll never speak a word to you again in this world; no,
not on my death-bed, by Heaven!"

The threat was extravagant; but Youth's glowing cheek and eye, and
imperious lip, and simple generosity, made it almost beautiful.

Kennet whined, "Oh, if you talk like that, there is an end to fair