In Honour's Cause Part 12

"Is the temper like a surly dog, then?" cried Andrew, laughing mockingly. "Will it bite?"

"Yes, if you tease it too much," snapped out Frank.

"Oh, horrible! You alarm me!" cried Andrew, bounding away in mock dread.

"Don't be a fool!" cried Frank angrily; and the tone and gesture which accompanied the request sobered Andrew in a moment, though his eyes looked his surprise that the boy whom he patronised with something very much like contempt could be roused up into showing so much strength of mind.

"What's the matter, Frank boy?" he said quietly; "eaten something that hasn't agreed with you?"

"No," said the boy sharply. "I haven't eaten it--I can't swallow it."

"Eh? What do you mean? What is it?"

"You," said Frank shortly.

"Oh!" said Andrew, raising his eyebrows a little and staring at him hard; "and pray how is it you can't swallow me?"

"Because you will keep going on in this wild, stupid way, and treating me as if I were some stupid boy whom you meant to make your b.u.t.t."

"What, to-day?"

"Yes, and yesterday, and the day before that, and last week, and--and ever since I've been here."

"Then why didn't you tell me of it if I did, like a gentleman should, and not call me a fool?"

"I didn't; I said don't be a fool."

"Same thing. You insulted me."

"Well, you've insulted me dozens of times."

"And amongst gentlemen, sir," continued Andrew haughtily, and ignoring the other's words, "these things mean a meeting. Gentlemen don't wear swords for nothing. They have their honour to defend. Do you understand?"

"Oh yes, I understand," said Frank warmly. "I haven't been behind the trees in the big field at Winchester a dozen times perhaps without knowing what that means."

"Pis.h.!.+" said Andrew contemptuously; "schoolboys' squabbles settled with fists. Black eyes, bruised knuckles, and cut lips."

"Well, schoolboys don't wear swords," cried Frank, who was by no means quelled. "I learned fencing, and I dare say I could use mine properly.

I've fenced with my father in the holidays many a time."

"Then I shall send a friend to you, sir," said Andrew fiercely.

"You mean an enemy," said Frank grimly.

"A friend, sir--a friend," said Andrew haughtily; "and you can name your own."

"No, I can't, and I shouldn't make such a fool of myself," cried Frank defiantly.

"You are very free, sir, with your fools," cried Andrew. "Such language as this is not fitted for the anteroom in the Palace."

"I suppose I may call myself a fool if I like."

"When you are alone, sir, if you think proper, but not in my presence.

Perhaps you will have the goodness to name your friend now; it will save time and trouble."

Frank looked at his companion sharply.

"Then you mean to fight?"

"Yes, sir, I mean to chastise this insolence."

"They wouldn't let us cross swords within the Palace grounds."

"Pooh! No paltry excuses and evasions, sir," cried Andrew, in whose thin cheeks a couple of red spots appeared. "Of course we could not hold a meeting here. But there is the Park. I see, though. Big words, and now the dog that was going to bite is putting his tail between his legs, and is ready to run away."

"Is he?" said Frank sharply, and a curiously stubborn look came into his face. "Don't you be too sure of that. But, anyhow, I'm not going to cross swords with you in real earnest."

"I thought so. You are afraid that I should pink you."

"Who's afraid?"

"Bah!" cried Andrew contemptuously. "You are."

"Oh, am I?" growled Frank. "Look here; I'm sure my father wouldn't like me to fight you with swords, whether you pinked me as you call it, or I wounded you."

"Pis.h.!.+ Frank Gowan, you are a poltroon."

"Perhaps so; but look here, Andrew Forbes, you've often made me want to hit you when you've been so bounceable and patronising. Now, we were going to see your friend to-night--"

"We are going to see my friend to-night, sir. Even if gentlemen have an affair, they keep their words."

"If they can, and are fit to show themselves. I'm not going to that place with you this evening, though I had got leave to go out. You can go afterwards if you like; but if you'll come anywhere you like, where we shan't be stopped, I'll try and show you, big as you are, that I'm not a coward."

"Very well. I dare say we can find a place. But your sword is shorter than mine. You must wear my other one."

"Rubbis.h.!.+ I'm not going to fight with swords!" cried Frank.

"What! you mean pistols?"

"I mean fists."

In Honour's Cause.

"Pah! like schoolboys or people in the mob."

"I shan't fight with anything else," said Frank stubbornly.

"You shall, sir. Now, then, name your friend."