'
It being evening by this time, Solomon Daisy, Tom Cobb, and Long Parkes,
were all in the common room too, and had from the window been witnesses
of what had just occurred. Mr Willet joining them soon afterwards,
received the compliments of the company with great composure, and
lighting his pipe, sat down among them.
'We'll see, gentlemen,' said John, after a long pause, 'who's the master
of this house, and who isn't. We'll see whether boys are to govern men,
or men are to govern boys.'
'And quite right too,' assented Solomon Daisy with some approving nods;
'quite right, Johnny. Very good, Johnny. Well said, Mr Willet. Brayvo,
sir.'
John slowly brought his eyes to bear upon him, looked at him for a long
time, and finally made answer, to the unspeakable consternation of his
hearers, 'When I want encouragement from you, sir, I'll ask you for
it. You let me alone, sir. I can get on without you, I hope. Don't you
tackle me, sir, if you please.'
'Don't take it ill, Johnny; I didn't mean any harm,' pleaded the little
man.
'Very good, sir,' said John, more than usually obstinate after his late
success. 'Never mind, sir. I can stand pretty firm of myself, sir, I
believe, without being shored up by you.
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