was only too ready
to fix on some object upon which to vent itself, and this last
suggestion, coupled with the suspicion that Brown's father had been one
of the backers of the Radical candidate, brought the town boy once more
into most uncomfortable notoriety.

He was hunted almost for his life round the playground and up to the
school. It was no use for him to protest that he was out-and-out
yellow, that his father had been on Pony's committee. He was far too
valuable a scapegoat to be let off; and when at last he managed to bolt
headlong into the school and seek shelter in the master's cloak-room, it
is safe to say that though he himself felt rather the worse for the
adventure, Willoughby on the whole felt rather better.

In due time the news was confirmed, and the school settled rather
viciously down to its ordinary work. It was almost a relief when first
school was over, and all those who had impositions to write were ordered
to keep their places and begin their tasks.

What venom of wrath and disappointment could they not put into those
unlucky lines! If the paper had only been the skin of the Radical
Cheeseman, and the pens needles, _how_ they would have delighted in
their penalty!

Scarcely had they begun work, however, when the school messenger came
round unexpectedly to summon the whole school to assemble in the Great
Hall. What could it be? Was it another lecture? or had the doctor
repented of letting them off so easy? Or was there to be another change
in the captaincy? or what?

The hall soon filled, and every one waited impatiently for the doctor.
He arrived presently, with a letter in his hand and a somewhat important
look on his face.

"The last time I spoke in this room," said he, "I had to discharge the
painful duty of punishing the whole school for a serious and inexcusable
act of insubordination."

"Why do they always call it a _painful_ duty?" inquired the artless
Telson of his ally; "I'm sure it doesn't hurt _them_."

"Silence! whoever is speaking!" said the doctor, sternly. "I hope what
was said then will not be forgotten. An act of that kind could not
possibly be allowed to pass without punishment, and any repetition of it
would entail the severest measures. However, I say no more of that at
present. I have called you together to read to you a letter I have just
received from the newly-elected Member for Shellport, Mr Cheeseman."

As the doctor pronounced this unpopular name,