“Yes. He pulled my ears this morning, and when I cried he picked me up in his arms and held me over the balusters.” “What did you do then?” “I cried――a little.” “What for?” “Because I was scared. He might have dropped me,” replied Carlton, unable to conceal his surprise as he looked at Dan. “Did it make him stop when you cried?” “No. He is a big bully! I guess he’ll find out that I don’t like him very well!” Dan repressed the smile that rose to his lips and looked down at the little fellow before him. Plainly Carlton was a “spoiled” boy who never had been taught to consider anyone but himself. What a multitude of new elements the shrinking selfish little lad had to learn! “Do you think Gus Kiggins will cry when he finds out that you don’t like him very well, Carlton?” Dan inquired quizzically. “He’s just a big bully, that’s all he is!” said Carlton. “I don’t like the boys here anyway. I guess I’ll go home. My mother told me I might leave if I didn’t want to stay.” “What will your father say?” “I haven’t any father. He’s dead.” “Have you any brothers?” “No.” Dan’s knowledge of life was limited, but he thought he saw plainly the training which Carlton had received. Doubtless, he surmised, the boy’s mother in her loneliness and grief had devoted herself to the only child she had. His every wish was granted, his will never was thwarted, and he ruled his mother as a tyrant might have done. “Carlton,” Dan said quietly, “what do the fellows call the boy that runs away or cries when he has something hard to do?” “I don’t know what they call him and I don’t care. I won’t stand it to have that big bully pull my ears or let the boys pour water in my bed! My mother――――” “Did you know my father is dead too?” broke in Dan. “No. Is he?” “Yes. I’ve got a lot of hard things to learn too. I am sure I shall feel just as you do many times, but I’m not going to run. The boys all think the fellow that runs away is a coward.” “But you’re big and strong.” “In some ways.” “You aren’t afraid of Gus Kiggins.” “No, but there are some other things that I’m afraid of.” “What are they?” “A good many.” “Really?” “Yes, I’ve thought already of doing just what you say you’re going to do, but I’ve decided to stay and fight it out.” “I can’t fight.” “Yes, you can!” “I’d like to know how.” “If you’ll try you’ll soon learn.” “Will you show me how?” asked Carlton eagerly. “I’ll show you all I know, but that isn’t much.” “Yes, it is! I know it is! I’m coming over to have you show me. I’d like to find out――――”