I'll kick him well for it," said Eric.
"No, no!" said Montagu, "that'll do no good.

Try rather to look after him a little more." "I hope _you_ will forgive him, and try and rescue him." "I will do what I can," said Montagu, coldly.
Eric sighed, and they parted.
Montagu had hoped that after this Eric would at least break off all open connection with Brigson; and, indeed, Eric had meant to do so.

But that personage kept carefully out of his way until the first burst of indignation against him had subsided, and after a time began to address Eric as if nothing had happened.

Meanwhile he had completely regained his ascendancy over the lower part of the school, which was not difficult, because they were wincing under Montagu's contempt, and mingled no little dislike with it; a dislike which all are too apt to feel towards those whose very presence and moral superiority are a tacit rebuke of their own failings.

But while Montagu was hated, Eric was at the zenith of popular favor, a favor which Brigson ostentatiously encouraged.