Randolph obeyed with alacrity, and received the Waterbury watch
from the hands of Mr. Hooper. The boys stood in silence and offered
no congratulations.

"Now, let me say," said the teacher, "that I cannot understand
why there was any collision at all. Tom Harper, why did you get
in Luke's way?"

"Because I was a fool, sir," answered Tom, smarting from his
injuries, and the evident indifference of Randolph, in whose
cause he had incurred them.

"That doesn't answer my question. Why did you act like a fool, as
you expressed it?"

"I thought I could get out of the way in time," stammered Tom, who
did not dare to tell the truth.

"You had no other reason?" asked the teacher, searchingly.

"No, sir. What other reason could I have?" said Tom, but his manner
betrayed confusion.

"Indeed, I don't know," returned the teacher, quietly. "Your
action, however, spoiled Luke's chances and insured the success
of Randolph."

"And got me a broken head," muttered Tom, placing his hand upon the
swelling at the back of his head.