And then Stephen confessed, and the elder brother rated him soundly for his folly, till the little fellow felt quite miserable and ashamed of himself. In the end, Oliver insisted on Stephen finding out at once what the price of the bat was, and promised he would lend his brother the money for it. In return for this, Stephen promised to make no more purchases of this kind without first consulting Oliver, and at this juncture Wraysford turned up, and Stephen beat a retreat with his bat over his shoulder. The two friends had not been alone together since _the fracas_ in the Fifth two days before, and both now appeared glad of an opportunity of talking over that and subsequent events. "I suppose you know a lot of the fellows are very sore at you for not thrashing Loman?" said Wraysford. "I guessed they would be. Are you riled, too, Wray?" "Not I! I know what _I_ should have done myself, but I suppose you know your own business best." "I was greatly tempted to let out," said Oliver, "but the fact is--I know you'll jeer, Wray--the fact is, I've been trying feebly to turn over a new leaf this term." Wraysford said "Oh!" and looked uncomfortable. "And one of the things I wanted to keep out of was losing my temper, which you know is not a good one." "Not at all," said Wraysford, meaning quite the opposite to what he said. "Well, if you'll believe me, I've lost my temper oftener in trying to keep this resolution than I ever remember to have done before. But on Friday it came over me just as I was going to thrash Loman. That's why I didn't." Wraysford looked greatly relieved when this confession was over. "You are a rum fellow, Noll," said he, after a pause, "and of course it is all right; but the fellows don't know your reason, and think you showed the white feather." "Let them think!" shouted Oliver, in a voice so loud and angry that Master Paul came to the door and asked what he wanted. "What do I care what they think?" continued Oliver, forgetting all about his temper; "they can think what they like, but they had better let me alone. I'd like to knock all their heads together! so I would!" "Steady, old man!" said Wraysford, good-humouredly; "I quite agree with you. But I say, Noll, I think it's a pity you don't put yourself right with them and the school generally, somehow. Everybody heard Loman call you a fool yesterday, and you know our fellows are so clannish that they think, for the credit of the Fifth, something ought to be done." "Let them send Braddy to thrash him, then; I don't intend to fight to please _them_!" "Oh! that's all right. And if they all knew what you've told me they would understand it; but as it is, they don't." "They'll find out some day, most likely," growled Oliver; "I'm not going to bother any more about it. I say, Wray, do you know anything of Cripps's son?"