Page:Stanwood Pier--Harding of St Timothys.djvu/60

40 They had rooms in the same wing with Rupert Ormsby.

As they were walking down the long corridor, Francis Stoddard came out of his room, which was the last one in the wing. Herrick advanced, blocking the passage.

"Look here, Stoddard!" he said.

He took Stoddard by the arms and pushed him up against the wall. They happened to be close by Rupert's door, and the transom over the door was open.

Harry lingered out of curiosity. Herrick was always playing pranks with Stoddard, snatching his cap or his books, or holding him when the bell rang, and so making him think he would be late to chapel and get a black mark. Harry did not altogether approve of this treatment, but it had its amusing side, and now he waited with a certain expectancy.

"Let's have a look at this thing you're wearing," Herrick said, and holding Francis hard against the wall with his shoulder and one arm, he reached down with the other hand and unfastened the pin. Francis struggled to pre-