94 BRAGGADOCIO.

“Remember what our dear mother used to
say, ‘ Bear and forbear, ”

The fierce expression passed from Tom’s face,
and he said :

“Well, Bessie, you are wiser than I am;
we will go home;” and then taking up his
oars, shouldered them, and was marching off.

“ Coward, coward!” shouted George.

“T can’t bear that Bessie—I can’t, in-
deed!” exclaimed Tom, about to lay down
tie oars.

“JT didn’t think the lad would show the
white feather,” said Howard.

Bessie-—He is no coward.

Howard—Why don’t he fight, then, and
settle the affair.

Bessie—Ah, sir, our dear mother, who is
now in Heaven, told Tom it was better to for-
give an injury than to resent it.

“ And so it is, little Bessie,” said Ada, step-
ping out from behind some bushes where she
had been trembling with fright.

Thus encouraged, Tom turned to George, and
said :

“J spare you a beating now; but look out