"Let people judge; who cares?" replied Jacob; "not I." "Well, I do, then," answered Ralph. "I hate to see a boy so 'fraid of a shadow as you are." "A tainted name is no shadow; but a real evil to be afraid of." "I don't see how our taking Tom Forsyth along is going to taint your name, or mine either." "He's a bad boy," Ralph firmly objected. "He uses profane language. You and I have both seen him foolish from drink. And we know that he was sent home from a good place, under circumstances that threw suspicion on his honesty. This being so, I am not going to be seen in his company. I think too much of my good name." "But, Ralph," urged Jacob, in a persuasive manner, "he's such a splendid rower. Don't be foolish about it; nobody'll see us. And we shall have such a grand time. I'll make him promise not to use a wicked word all day." "It's no use to talk, Jacob. I'm not going in company with Tom Forsyth if I never go boating." "You're a fool!" exclaimed Jacob, losing his temper. Ralph's face burned with anger, but he kept back the sharp words that sprung to his lips, and after a few moments said, with forced composure,-- "There's no use in you're getting mad about it, Jacob. If you prefer Tom to me, very well. I haven't set my heart on going." "I've spoken to Tom already" said Jacob, cooling off a little. "And he's promised to go; so there's no getting away from it. I'm sorry you're so over nice." The rowing party came off, but Ralph was not of the number. As the boys were getting into the boat at Fairmount, Jacob noticed two or three men standing on the wharf; and on lifting his eyes to the face of one of them, he recognized the same individual who had looked at him so intently as he entered the oyster saloon. The man's eyes rested upon him for a few moments, and then turned to the boy, Tom Forsyth. Young Peters might have been mistaken, but he thought he saw on the man's face a look of surprise and disapprobation. Somehow or other he did not feel very comfortable in mind as the boat pushed off from shore. Who was this man? and why had he looked at him twice so intently, and with something of disapproval in his face?