ached.
It does not do you credit as monitors, and I hope you will soon see the
matter in the same light. I did not expect it of you, but I regret it
less on your account than on account of the school, to whom you have set
a bad example. You may go."

The doctor spoke in tones of unwonted anger, not unmixed with scorn. He
rarely "flared up," but when he did it was always uncomfortable for
those against whom his wrath was roused.

The deputation slunk off sheepishly, carrying their petition with them,
and too glad to get out of the angry presence of the head master to
think of anything else.

The doctor may have been right, and probably was right in thus summarily
extinguishing the petition and the petitioners. But he had done it in a
manner which was hardly calculated to smooth matters.

Indeed, when the deputation reported their bad success to the monitors
who awaited them, the general feeling was far more one of anger at being
snubbed than of repentance for having done a foolish thing.

"If Paddy had only taken the trouble to read the thing through," said
Ashley, "and honour us with one or two reasons for not doing what we
asked, it wouldn't have been so bad."

"As it is he's as good as told us to mind our own business and he'll
mind his," said Tipper, little thinking how exactly he had described the
case.

"If we're not to be allowed to say a word about the management of the
school," said Game, "I don't see what right he has to expect us to do
his work for him, and keep order."

"Oh, it won't do to resign or anything of that sort," said Ashley.
"That would be like funking it altogether."

"He'll soon find his mistake out, never fear," said another. "He won't
listen to us, but he can't help believing his own eyes."

"Yes, it can't go on for long," said Tipper. "Riddell's bound to show
that he's not up to his work sooner or later, and I won't interfere to
prevent it."

"Meanwhile," said Game, who of all the malcontents was the most honest,
"what's to become of Willoughby? We must keep some sort of order,
whoever is captain."

"Why, whatever authority can we have when the most we can do is to
report fellows to that milksop?" said Tipper.

"I'll tell you what," said Ashley, "if we're compelled to _call_ Riddell
captain, there's nothing to prevent us considering another fellow so."

"What do you mean?" asked some one.

"He means," said Game, "and it's not half a bad idea, that if Bloomfield
will