of misunderstanding.

There were one or two incidents during this summer term that stood out
very clearly in Gordon's memory as proofs of the way masters may fail to
realise the boy's point of view.

One morning just after breakfast Gordon discovered that he had done the
wrong maths for Jenks. He rushed in search of Fletcher.

"I say, Archie, look here, be a sport. I have done the wrong stuff for
that ass Jenks. Let's have a look at yours."

In ten minutes four tremendous howlers in as many sums had been
reproduced on Gordon's paper. The work was collected that morning, and
nothing more was heard of it till the next day. Gordon thought himself
quite safe and had ceased to take any interest in the matter. The form
was working out some riders more or less quietly. Suddenly Jenks's tired
voice murmured:

"Caruthers, did you copy your algebra off Fletcher?"

"No, sir."

Jenks was rather fond of asking such leading questions.

Caruthers had got tired of it. The man was a fool; he must know by this
time that he was bound to get the same answer.

"Fletcher, did you copy off Caruthers?"

"No, sir."

"Caruthers, did you see Fletcher's paper?"

"No, sir."

How insistent the ass was getting.

"Fletcher, did you see Caruther's paper?"

"No, sir."

"Oh, you silly fellows. Then I shall have to put both your papers before
the Headmaster. I'm afraid you will both be expelled."

Jenks had a strange notion of the offences that merited expulsion. Every
time he reported a boy he expected to see him marching sadly to the
station to catch the afternoon train. Once Collins had stuck a pin into
a wonderful mercury apparatus and entirely ruined it.

"Oh, Collins, you stupid boy. I shall have to report you to the
Headmaster, and you know what that means. We sha'n't see you here any
more."

Gordon had, of course, not the slightest fear of getting "bunked." But
still it was a nuisance. He would have to be more careful next time.

"Now look here, you two," Jenks went on, after a bit. "If either of you
cares to own up, I won't report you at all. I will deal with you
myself."

Slowly Gordon rose. It was obviously an occasion where it paid to own
up.

"I did, sir."

"Oh I thought as much. You see yours was in pencil, and if possible a
little worse than Fletcher's. Sit down."

Betteridge afterwards said that to watch Jenks rushing across the courts
to see the Chief during the minute interval between the exit of one
cla