Mr. Crabb acted rashly in siding with Hector, and speaking against Mr.Smith's nephew. Socrates showed his displeasure by a frigid demeanor,and by seeking occasions for snubbing his assistant. On the other hand,Hector felt grateful for his intercession, and an intimacy sprang upbetween them.
A few days afterward, on a half holiday, Mr. Crabb said: "Roscoe, I amgoing out for a walk. Do you care to accompany me?"
"I will do so with pleasure," said Hector, sincerely.
"Mr. Crabb," he said, after they were fairly on their way, "I am sorryto see that Mr. Smith has not forgiven you for taking my part againstJim."
"I would do it again, Roscoe," said the usher. "I could not sit silentwhile so great an injustice was being done."
"Do you think Jim was punished?"
"I am sure he was not. He is a boy after Mr. Smith's own heart, thatis, he possesses the same mean and disagreeable qualities, perhaps in agreater degree. Has he interfered with you since?"
"No," answered Hector, smiling; "he probably found that I object tobeing bullied."
"You are fortunate in being strong enough to withstand his attacks."
"Yes," said Hector, quietly; "I am not afraid of him."
"Bullies are generally cowards," said the usher.
"I wonder, Mr. Crabb, you are willing to stay at Smith Institute, asusher to such a man as Mr. Smith."
"Ah, Roscoe!" said Mr. Crabb, sighing; "it is not of my own free willthat I stay. Poverty is a hard task-master. I must teach for a living."
"But surely you could get a better position?"
"Perhaps so; but how could I live while I was seeking for it. My lad,"he said, after a pause, "I have a great mind to confide in you; I wantone friend to whom I can talk unreservedly."
"Mr. Crabb," said Hector, earnestly, "I shall feel flattered by yourconfidence."
"Thank you, Roscoe; or, rather, since we are going to be friends, let medistinguish you from the other boys and call you Hector."
"I wish you would, sir."
"I need not tell you that I am poor," continued Mr. Crabb; "you can readit in my shabby clothes. I sometimes see the boys looking at my poorsuit, as if they wondered why I dressed so badly. Smith has more thanonce cast insulting looks at my rusty coat. It is not penuriousness, assome of the boys may think--it is poverty that prevents me from attiringmyself more becomingly."
"Mr. Crabb, I sympathize with you," said Hector.
"Thank you, Hector. Of that I am sure."
"Mr. Smith ought to pay you enough to clothe yourself neatly. He makesyou work hard enough."
"He pays me twenty dollars a month," said the usher; "twenty dollars andmy board."
"Is that all?" asked Hector, in amazement. "Why, the girl in the kitchenearns nearly that."
"To be sure," answered the usher, bitterly; "but in Mr. Smith'sestimation, I stand very little higher. He does not value education, notpossessing it himself. However, you may wonder why, even with thissum, I cannot dress better. It is because I have another than myself tosupport."
"You are not married?" asked Hector, in surprise.
"No; but I have an invalid sister, who is wholly dependent upon me. Toher I devote three-quarters of my salary, and this leaves me very littlefor myself. My poor sister is quite unable to earn anything for herself,so it is a matter of necessity."
"Yes, I understand," said Hector, in a tone of sympathy.
"You now see why I do not dare to leave this position, poor as it is.For myself, I might take the risk, but I should not feel justified inexposing my sister to the hazard of possible want."
"You are right, Mr. Crabb. I am very sorry now that you spoke up for me.It has prejudiced Mr. Smith against you."
"No, no; I won't regret that. Indeed, he would hesitate to turn meadrift, for he would not be sure of getting another teacher to take myplace for the same beggarly salary."
"Something may turn up for you yet, Mr. Crabb," said Hector, hopefully.
"Perhaps so," answered the usher, but his tone was far from sanguine.
When they returned to the school, Hector carried out a plan which hadsuggested itself to him in the interest of Mr. Crabb. He wrote to a boyof his acquaintance, living in New York, who, he had heard, was in wantof a private tutor, and recommended Mr. Crabb, in strong terms, for thatposition. He did this sincerely, for he had found the usher to be a goodteacher, and well versed in the studies preparatory to college. He didnot think it best to mention this to Mr. Crabb, for the answer might beunfavorable, and then his hopes would have been raised only to be dashedto the earth.
Later in the day, Hector fell in with Bates, already referred to as aspecial friend of Jim Smith. The intimacy, however, had been diminishedsince the contest in which Hector gained the victory. Bates was notquite so subservient to the fallen champion, and Jim resented it.
"I saw you walking out with old Crabb," said Bates.
"He isn't particularly old," said Hector.
"Oh, you know what I mean. Did you ever see such a scarecrow?"
"Do you refer to his dress?" asked Hector.
"Yes; he'll soon be in rags. I shouldn't wonder at all if that old suitof his was worn by one of Noah's sons in the ark."
"You don't suppose he wears it from choice, do you?"
"I don't know. He's stingy, I suppose--afraid to spend a cent."
"You are mistaken. He has a sister to support, and his salary is verysmall."
"I can believe that. Old Sock is mean with his teachers. How much doeshe pay Crabb?"
"It is very little, but I don't know that I ought to tell."
"I say, though, Roscoe, I wouldn't go to walk with him again."
"Why not?"
"The boys will say that, you are trying to get into his good graces, sohe'll let you off easy in your lessons."
"I don't want him to let me off easy; I generally intend to beprepared."
"I know, but that's what they will say."
"Let them say what they please, and I will do what I please," saidHector, independently.
"Old Sock ain't any too fond of Crabb since he took your part the otherday. Jim says the old man means to bounce him before long."
"I suppose that means discharge him."
"It means giving him his walking papers. Jim will see that he does it,too."
Hector did not reply, but he felt more than ever glad that he hadwritten a letter which might possibly bring the poor usher moreprofitable and, at the same time, agreeable employment.
"Jim doesn't like you, either," added Bates.
"I never supposed he did. I can do without his favor."
"He will get you into a scrape if he can."
"I have no doubt whatever of his benevolent intentions toward me. Ishall not let it interfere with my happiness."
Just then a sharp cry was heard, as of a boy in pain. It came from theschool yard, which the two boys were approaching on their return from awalk.
"What's that?" asked Hector, quickly.
"I expect it's the new boy."
One had arrived the day before.
"Is he hurt, I wonder?" asked Hector, quickening his steps.
"Jim's got hold of him, probably," said Bates; "he said this morninghe was going to give the little chap a lesson to break him into schoolways."
"He did, did he?" said Hector, compressing his lips. "I shall havesomething to say to that," and he quickened his steps.
CHAPTER XVI. TOSSED IN A BLANKET.