Parrett,
leaning back in his chair and pushing his plate away.

It wasn't an easy question, but Parson felt something ought to be said.

"Some of them are rather cads, sir," he said.

("Parson," whispered Telson. "I'll fight you when you get outside.")

"I mean, sir," said Parson, hurriedly, "that is--(I beg pardon, Telson,
old man, I didn't mean)--they don't like us, and--"

"And we don't like them," said Lawkins.

"And you think they ought to like you?" asked Mr Parrett, severely.

This was a poser. The Parrett juniors had never asked themselves the
question before.

"Now listen to me," said Mr Parrett. "I'm angry with you, and I'm
going to punish you. I am not angry with you for capsizing me this
afternoon. You did it by mistake, you say, and no harm was done. And
I'm not going to punish you for being out late, for that the captain
will do. But boys who make nuisances of themselves and then complain
that other boys don't like them are not to be put up with in Willoughby.
You five have had a lesson already. You might have caused a much worse
accident than you did by your folly. You may be thankful you did not.
For a week neither of you is to go on to the river at all, and after
that till the end of the term you will only be allowed to go with the
captain's permission, or in the company of a senior. You can go."

The party turned to obey, when Mr Parrett added, "Three of you, Telson,
Parson, and Lawkins, remain a moment."

The other two went off, leaving their three comrades standing at the end
of the table, wondering what on earth was coming next.

Mr Parrett's manner changed as he turned to them. He became
embarrassed, and spoke almost nervously.

"You three," he said, "jumped in after me this afternoon, did you not?"

"Yes, please, sir," said Telson; "Parson was first, sir."

Mr Parrett rose from his seat, and, without saying a word, shook hands
with each one of them, greatly to their astonishment and confusion.

"You can go now," said the master, when the ceremony was concluded;
"good-night, boys."

"Good-night, sir," said they, and filed out of the room.

It was some time before Parson and Telson, as they walked slowly back
along the passage, could find words suitable to the occasion. Then
Telson said, "Well, that was a rum thing of him to do!"

"What did he mean?" asked Parson.

"Goodness knows. But, I say, it's a jolly soak being stopped the river,
though."

"Yes, and having