"Did you ever know an Irish boy that couldn't fight?" he asked. "I'm better with my fists than with my brains, Alfred." "That's because you never went to school much. You're getting on fast, Andy." "I'm tryin', Alfred," he said. "It's a shame for a big boy like me not to know as much as a little boy like you." "You'll soon get ahead of me, Andy." Meanwhile Godfrey had taken his place in school, feeling far from comfortable. He was outraged by the thought that Andy, whom he regarded as so much beneath him, should have had the audacity to throw him down, and put his knees on his breast. It made him grind his teeth when he thought of it. What should he do about it? He wanted to be revenged in some way, and he meant to be. Finally he decided to report Andy to the teacher, and, if possible, induce him to punish him. "The teacher knows that my father's a man of influence," he said to himself. "He will believe me before that ragamuffin. If he don't, I'll try to get him turned away." When, therefore, the bell rang for recess, and the rest of the scholars hurried to the playground, Godfrey lingered behind. He waited till all the boys were gone, and then went up to the teacher. "Well, Godfrey, what is it?" asked the master. "Mr. Stone, I want to make a complaint against Andrew Burke," said Godfrey. "What has he done?" "He is a brute," said Godfrey, in an excited manner. "He dared to come up behind my back before school began, and knock me down. Then he put his knee on my chest, and wouldn't let me up." "What made him do it?" "He knows I don't like him, and am not willing to associate with him." "Was that all the reason?" asked the teacher, keenly. "I suppose so," said Godfrey. "I was not aware that Andy Burke was quarrelsome," said the teacher. "He behaves well in school." "Because he knows he must." "Very well; I will inquire into the matter after recess." Godfrey went back to his seat, triumphant. He didn't doubt that his enemy would be severely punished. CHAPTER XIII GODFREY'S REBELLION Having made his complaint, Godfrey waited impatiently for the recess to close, in order that he might see retribution fall upon the head of Andy. He had not long to wait. Meanwhile, however, he was missed in the playground. "Where's Godfrey?" asked one of the boys. "He don't want to come out. He got a licking from Andy Burke." "I ain't much sorry. It'll cure him of some of his airs." "I don't know about that. It comes natural to him to put on airs." "If anybody has insulted Godfrey," remarked Ben Travers, his toady, "he had better look out for himself." "Do you hear that, Andy? Ben Travers says you must look out for yourself." "Who's goin' to punish me?" asked Andy. "If it's Ben, let him come on."