wn, the sooner it's gone, and you haven't
got to think any more about it. That's what I feel about my licking."

"Hist! here's some one coming."

Mercer turned sharply round and listened.

"Old Reb," he whispered, and we went and stood together near the window
as the steps came nearer; the key was turned, and Mr Rebble appeared,
glanced at the tray with its almost untouched bread, and then smiled
maliciously.

"Ho, ho! Proud stomached, eh? Oh, very well, only I warn you both you
get nothing more to eat until that bread is finished. Now, then, young
gentlemen, this way please."

He held the door open, and then led us into a small room at the end of
the passage used for spare boxes and lumber. Here we were locked in and
left, and as soon as we were alone Mercer burst into a fit of laughter.

"Oh, what a game!" he panted, wiping the tears from his eyes. "I say,
though, he never missed the water-jug. What's the matter?"

"Matter!" I cried; "it's a shame to lock us up here like two prisoners
in this old lumber-room."

"Oh, never mind! it's only old Reb's nasty petty way. I don't believe
the Doctor knows. He isn't petty; he scolds you and canes you if you've
done anything he don't like, but as soon as you've had your punishment,
it's all over, and he forgets what's past. I say!"

"Well?"

"He will not expel us; I'm not afraid of that."

In about half an hour, we heard Mr Rebble's steps again.

"Now then, the physic's ready," whispered Mercer. "Don't you cry out.
It hurts a good deal, and the Doctor hits precious hard, but the pain
soon goes off, and it will only please old Rebble if you seem to mind."

Just then the door was opened, and our gaoler appeared again.

"This way," he said shortly, and we went out into the passage once more,
while my heart began to flutter, and I wondered whether I could bear a
caning without showing that I suffered, and, to be frank, I very much
doubted my power in what would be to me quite a new experience. I set
my teeth though, and mentally vowed I would try and bear it manfully.

It was all waste energy, for Mr Rebble threw open the door of our
dormitory again, drew back for us to enter, and said, with a nasty
malicious laugh, as if he enjoyed punishing us,--

"Not a morsel of anything till that bread is eaten."

Then the door was closed, sharply locked, the key withdrawn, and his
steps died away.

"What a take in!" grumbled Mercer, as we looked round the neat