Page:Arthur Stringer-The Loom of Destiny.djvu/125

The Essentials of Aristocracy his little book and slate, there was a strange, exultant gleam on his face. All the eyes of the school were upon him, but he saw only those of the enemy.

The sense of his defeat still hung over him. As he passed the other boy he looked down at him, as from a height.

"Say, Johnnie, what's wrong?" whispered his foe, curiosity overruling pride.

There was a ring of mingled sorrow and triumph in the voice of Johnnie as he said:

"My mother's dead, see!"

"Gosh!" said Jimmie, overcome. Johnnie knew he had won at last. Every eye in the school-room was on him as he went out.

In the hall his Aunt Martha was waiting to take him home, with her handkerchief still over her eyes. 113