Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/103

Rh Harry felt that it was a kind and friendly and encouraging speech, and that for Rupert, at least, the unpleasant episode of the afternoon was all past and forgotten. So his heart was softened, and he walked meekly and alone down to the study, thinking that, after all, Rupert was a mighty good fellow.

Joe Herrick, however, was implacable, and that evening expressed himself to Harry bitterly about Rupert.

"He's the kind that loves to go round spying on a fellow," he declared. "He's a goody-goody boy; he's always parading to show how much better he is than anybody else; and I don't care if he is a good football player, he's a stiff. He's bigger and stronger than me, and when I play end against him in the game between the Pythians and Corinthians next Saturday, I suppose he'll do me up; but would n't I like to show him how to play football! I bet it would take some of the superiority and conceit out of him if I only could. I'm going to practice hard this week all right, and may be I'll surprise him yet—