CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
A QUEER QUARREL.
"I sent a message to you, Mr Herrick," he cried angrily, and I could then guess that he had been coming to see why I had delayed.

"I have something to say to you, sir, respecting the company you keep, and the society you affect, which I am given to understand is not that which conduces to good dishipline." "Oh, that's what Mr Smith thinks, sir," I said coolly.
"Oh, indeed!" he cried sarcastically.
"Yes, sir; he said something about it to me this morning, but he does not know." "Indeed!" he cried, growing black as a thundercloud; "then I am to take it, sir, that you do ?" "I hope so, sir; I try to know." "Then you know, sir, possibly why it was that when I sent you a summons I am kept waiting ?" "Yes, sir; I was delayed a little--" "Oh, thank you.

I am glad to hear that, Mr Herrick.

Perhaps you have something else of importance to communicate ?" "Yes, sir, very." "Thank you.

I am sorry I cannot ask you to sit down." "Don't name it, sir," I said quietly, while he began to breathe very hard.
"I was down with Ching the interpreter, sir, this morning--" "Were you really, Mr Herrick ?" he said sarcastically.