have, sir," was the answer.

"You ought to have," echoed the Doctor, his voice assuming its most
awe-inspiring tones. "And, did you intend to report them?"

Here was a loophole. Here was a chance held out to him. Why not grasp
it? At best he would get off with a severe wigging, at worst with an
imposition. It would only be a white lie after all, and surely under
the circumstances justifiable. The stern eyes of the headmaster seemed
to penetrate his brain, and every head was craned forward open-mouthed
for his answer. It came.

"I'm afraid I did not, sir."

"You are afraid you did not! Very well. Then there is no more to be
said." And the Doctor, bending down, was seen to be writing something
on a slip of paper--the while the whole school was on tenterhooks, but
the excitement was of a more thrilling nature than ever now. What would
be the upshot? was in every mind. A swishing of course. Not for
Haviland though; he was too old, and a prefect. He would be reduced.

Then the headmaster looked up and proceeded to pass sentence.

"These continual complaints on the part of the neighbours," he said,
"are becoming very serious indeed, and are getting the school a very bad
name. I am determined to put a stop to them, and indeed it is becoming
a grave question with me whether I shall not gate the whole school
during the remainder of the term. These two boys, who have been brought
up to me, represent a number of cases, I am afraid, wherein the
offenders escape undetected and unpunished: therefore I shall make a
severe example of them, and of any others in like case. And now a word
to the prefects."

A long, acrid, and bitter homily for the benefit of those officials
followed--the juniors listening with intense delight, not that the order
was especially unpopular, but simply the outcome of the glee of juvenile
human nature over those set in authority over it being rated and brought
to book in their turn. Then, having descanted on authority and trust,
and so forth, until every one of those officially endowed with such
responsibility began almost to wish they were not--with the exception
perhaps of the one who stood certain to be deprived of it--the
headmaster proceeded:

"Harris and Finch, I shall flog you both to-morrow morning after
divinity lesson, and I may add that any boy reported to me for the same
offence will certainly receive the same treatment. As for you,
Haviland," handing him the slip of pa