If they turn me out, they will make a mistake; that's all." There was something mysterious in the words of the Bunker which excited the curiosity of Charles.

He could not help wondering what he would do.
Tim had so much resolution he was sure it was not an idle boast.
"I know what I am about," continued Tim, with a wise look.
"Captain Sedley says you still associate with your old companions," added Charles.
"What if I do ?" "That would be ground enough for turning you out." "Would it?
They are better fellows than you long faces, and you will say so when you know them," replied Tim, speaking as though it were a settled fact that he would know them by and by.
This conversation occurred one Wednesday afternoon, as the two boys were on their way to the boat-house.

On their arrival, Tim was informed by Captain Sedley, who was apparently there for that purpose, that he was expelled from the club.

It was sudden and unexpected, and had been done by the director without any action on the part of the club.
"What for ?" asked Tim, in surly tones.
"I find that you still associate with your old companions, which is sufficient proof that you don't mean to reform," answered the director.
"I don't care," growled Tim, as he turned on his heel and walked out of the hall.
Charles Hardy was then called aside by Captain Sedley, who kindly pointed out to him the danger he incurred in associating with such a boy as Tim.
"I would not have kept company with him if he had not been a member of the club," replied Charles.
"He was admitted to the club on the supposition that he intended to be a better boy." "I was opposed to admitting him," answered Charles, rather sulkily.
"I was very willing the boy should have a fair chance to reform; but when it became apparent that he did not mean to do better, I could no longer permit him to endanger the moral welfare of the club.

We have been satisfied for some time; and most of the boys, after giving him a fair trial, avoided him as much as possible when they saw what he meant.
But you have been growing more and more intimate with him every day.
Why, it was only last night that he was seen with some twenty or thirty of his old companions.