Harry, who had long perceived and lamented the coolness of Master Merton towards him, was now much more grieved to see that his friend was not only silent, but seemed to take an ill-natured pleasure in these insults, than at the insults themselves which were offered to him. However, as soon as the crowd of tormentors which surrounded him would give him leave to speak, he coolly answered, "that he was as little a spy and informer as any of them; and, as to begging, he thanked God he wanted as little of them as they did of him;" "besides," added he, "were I even reduced so low as that, I should know better how to employ my time than to ask charity of any one here." This sarcastic answer, and the reflections that were made upon it, had such an effect upon the too irritable temper of Master Merton, that, in an instant, forgetting his former obligations and affection to Harry, he strutted up to him, and clenching his fist, asked him, "whether he meant to insult him?" "Well done, Master Merton!" echoed through the whole society; "thrash him heartily for his impudence." "No, Master Tommy," answered Harry; "it is you and your friends here that insult me." "What!" answered Tommy, "are you a person of such consequence that you must not be spoken to? You are a prodigious fine gentleman, indeed." "I always thought you one till now," answered Harry. "How, you rascal!" said Tommy; "do you say that I am not a gentleman? Take that!" and immediately struck Harry upon the face with his fist. His fortitude was not proof against this treatment; he turned his face away, and only said, in a low tone of voice, "Master Tommy, Master Tommy, I never should have thought it possible you could have treated me in this unworthy manner;" then, covering his face with both his hands, he burst into an agony of crying. But the little troop of gentlemen, who were vastly delighted with the mortification which Harry had received, and had formed a very different opinion of his prowess, from the patience which he had hitherto exerted, began to gather round and repeat their persecutions. _Coward_, and _blackguard_, and _tell-tale_ echoed in a chorus through the circle; and some, more forward than the rest, seized him by the hair, in order that he might hold up his head and show his _pretty face_.