ever mind my behaviour now. I've something
to tell you. I can't bear it any longer. I must go home at once--at
once, sir!"

There was a general sensation at this, for his manner was peremptory and
almost dictatorial. Some thought he would get a licking on the strength
of it, and most hoped so. But the Doctor dismissed them to the
playground, keeping Paul back to be dealt with in privacy.

Mrs. Grimstone played nervously with her dry toast at the end of the
table, for she could not endure to see the boys in trouble and dreaded a
scene, while Dulcie looked on with wide bright eyes.

"Now, sir," said the Doctor, looking up from his marmalade, "why must
you go home at once?"

"I've just had a letter," stammered Paul.

"No one ill at home, I hope?"

"No, no," said Paul. "It's not that; it's worse! She doesn't know what
horrible things she tells me!"

"Who is 'she'?" said the Doctor--and Dulcie's eyes were larger still and
her face paled.

"I decline to say," said Mr. Bultitude. It would have been absurd to say
'my daughter,' and he had not presence of mind just then to transpose
the relationships with neatness and success. "But indeed I am wanted
most badly!"

"What are you wanted for, pray?"

"Everything!" declared Paul; "it's all going to rack and ruin without
me!"

"That's absurd," said the Doctor; "you're not such an important
individual as all that, Bultitude. But let me see the letter."

Show him the letter--lay bare all those follies of Dick's, the burden
of which he might have to bear himself very shortly--never! Besides,
what would be the use of it? It would be no argument in favour of
sending him home--rather the reverse--so Paul was obliged to say,
"Excuse me, Dr. Grimstone, it is--ah--of a private nature. I don't feel
at liberty to show it to anyone."

"Then, sir," said the Doctor, with some reason, "if you can't tell me
who or what it is that requires your presence at home, and decline to
show me the letter which would presumably give me some idea on the
subject, how do you expect that I am to listen to such a preposterous
demand--eh? Just tell me that!"

Once more would Paul have given worlds for the firmness and presence of
mind to state his case clearly and effectively; and he could hardly have
had a better opportunity, for schoolmasters cannot always be playing the
tyrant, and the Doctor was, in spite of his attempts to be stern,
secretly more amused than angry at what seemed a peculiarly