ith indignation, glared straight at the head master by
way of reply, and closed his lips.

"Very well, sir. Jones, I now repeat the question to you. You are a
little boy, and there is more excuse for you, as you were led astray by
the bad example of a senior. I caution you now to do as the others have
done, and give me a plain answer to a plain question. Otherwise you
must take the consequences."

I am afraid I blushed and looked far less determined than I would have
liked. But I did my best to glare back and tighten my lips like the
Dux.

"Very well. Tempest and Jones, go to my study and remain there till I
come."

We had not long to wait for our doom. The doctor was in the study
almost as soon as we.

We stood there while he wrote some letters and put away some books on
the shelves. Then he rang the bell, and handed the letters to the
servant to post. After that he sat in his chair for a quarter of an
hour in silence, evidently ruminating.

At last he deigned to notice our presence.

"Tempest," he said, "I am very grieved at this. I had hoped better
things of you. You know what the consequence must be to you?"

"I'm to be expelled, I know," said the Dux. "The sooner the better."

The doctor raised his eyebrows. There was no dealing with a reprobate
like this.

"I have written to your grandfather to say you will return home to-
morrow."

"I'm sorry it's not to-night," said the Dux.

"And you, Jones," said the doctor to me, not heeding the last
speech,--"I am more sorry for you. You are a foolish, misguided boy.
Even now, if you atone for your fault by replying to my questions, I am
willing to spare your mother the misery you seem bent on bringing upon
her."

This was a cruel thrust. The thought of my mother had crossed my mind
once or twice already, and almost brought the tears to my eyes. It
would be hard to explain all to her--and yet, and yet, anything was
better than turning sneak.

"I won't answer," said I. "I'd sooner be expelled."

"Your desire shall be gratified," said the doctor drily; "to-morrow you
will go too."

"Thank you, sir."

"Tempest, you will remain here for the rest of the day--Jones, you will
go to the dormitory and remain there. I forbid you, either of you, to
hold any communication with your late schoolfellows while you remain
here."

Next morning after breakfast we were finally brought up before the whole
school and harangued publicly by the head maste