As for the juniors, some were unfeignedly glad, though their instinct of self-preservation made them remarkably careful not to obtrude that fact upon him, yet, though his strictness while in office had rendered him unpopular, now that he had fallen most of their sympathies were with him. But from sympathy or condolence alike he himself shrank. His mind was bitter with thoughts of hatred and revenge--the latter, if only it could be obtained--yet why not? He was utterly reckless now. They could but expel him, and for that he didn't care--at least, so he told himself. It was in this dangerous mood the day after his suspension that he encountered Jarnley--Jarnley and his gang. But Jarnley had seen him coming, and tried to shuffle away. So, too, did his gang. "Here--Hi, Jarnley!" he cried. "Wait a bit. I want to speak to you." There was no escape, short of taking to his heels, wherefore Jarnley stopped, with a very bad grace and faced round. "Eh? What is it, Haviland?" "Just this. That day I smacked your head for bullying Cetchy you said you'd fight me if I wasn't a prefect. Well, I'm not a prefect now, so-- come on." "Oh, I was only humbugging, Haviland," returned Jarnley, not in the least eager to make good his words. "Then you'd rather not fight?" "Of course I don't want to," said Jarnley, shrinkingly. "And, look here, Haviland, I'm beastly sorry you've been reduced." What was to be done with a cur like this? Haviland knew that the other was lying, and was the reverse of sorry for his misfortunes. He had intended to give Jarnley his choice between fighting and being thrashed, but how, in the name of common decency, could he punch a fellow's head who expressed such effusive sympathy? He could not. Baulked, he glared round upon the group. "Any one else like to take advantage of the opportunity?" he said. "You, Perkins?" "I don't want to fight, Haviland," was the sullen answer. "Very well, then. But don't let me hear of any of you bullying Cetchy any more. He can tell me now, because I'm no longer a prefect; and any fellow who does will get the very best hammering he ever had in his life. That's all." His former colleagues spared no pains to let him see that they still regarded him as one of themselves. Among other things they pressed him to use the prefects' room as formerly, but this he refused to do. If he had been walking with any of them he would stop short at the door, and no amount of persuasion could prevail on him to enter. "You needn't be so beastly proud, Haviland," Laughton had said, half annoyed by these persistent refusals. "Why, man, Nick's bound to reinstate you before long. The notice, mind, says `suspended' only." At which Haviland had shaken his head and laughed strangely.