Above all, his evil genius Wildney was by, and said, "How very nice! another dictation lesson!" A threatening circle had formed round Montagu, but his closed lips, and flushing brow, and dilated nostrils, betrayed a spirit which made them waver, and he quietly repeated, "No one shall touch you, Wright." "They _will_, though," said Eric instantly; "_I_ will, for one, and I should like to see you prevent me." And so saying he gave Wright another slight blow.
Montagu dropped Wright's hand and said slowly, "Eric Williams, I have taken one unexpected blow from you without a word, and bear the marks of it yet.

It is time to show that it was _not_ through cowardice that I did not return it.

Will you fight ?" The answer was not prompt by any means, though every one in the school knew that Eric was not afraid.

So sure was he of this, that, for the sake of "auld lang syne," he would probably have declined to fight with Montagu had he been left to his own impulses.
"I have been in the wrong, Montagu, more than once," he answered, falteringly, "and we have been friends--" But it was the object of many of the worst boys that the two should fight--not only that they might see the fun, but that Montagu's authority, which stood in their way, might be flung aside.

So Brooking whispered in an audible voice-- "Faith! he's showing the white feather." "You're a liar!" flung in Eric; and turning to Montagu, he said--"There! I'll fight you this moment." Instantly they had stripped off their coats and prepared for action.