whichhe
was
ashamed
;
but
he
did
not
like
to
connect
this
with
his
fastidious
feelings
of
refinement
.
He
would
not
own
to
himself
that
they
were
over
nice
,
and
,
at
the
bottom
of
all
this
justification
,
rankled
Richard
's
saying
,
that
he
who
cared
for
such
things
was
unfit
for
a
clergyman
.
Norman
's
secret
thought
was
,
it
was
all
very
well
for
those
who
could
only
aspire
to
parish
work
in
wretched
cottages
—
people
who
could
distinguish
themselves
were
more
useful
at
the
University
,
forming
minds
,
and
opening
new
discoveries
in
learning
.
Was
Norman
quite
proof
against
the
consciousness
of
daily
excelling
all
his
competitors
?
His
superiority
had
become
even
more
manifest
this
Easter
,
when
Cheviot
and
Forder
,
the
two
elder
boys
whom
he
had
outstripped
,
left
the
school
,
avowedly
,
because
it
was
not
worth
while
for
them
to
stay
,
since
they
had
so
little
chance
of
the
Randall
scholarship
.
Norman
had
now
only
to
walk
over
the
course
,
no
one
even
approaching
him
but
Harvey
Anderson
.
Meta
Rivers
always
said
that
fine
weather
came
at
her
call
,
and
so
it
did
—
glowing
sunshine
streaming
over
the
shaven
turf
,
and
penetrating
even
the
solid
masses
of
the
great
cedar
.
The
carriage
was
sent
for
the
Miss
Mays
,
and
,
at
two
o'clock
,
they
arrived
.
Flora
,
extremely
anxious
that
Ethel
should
comport
herself
discreetly
;
and
Ethel
full
of
curiosity
and
eagerness
,
the
only
drawback
,
her
fears
that
her
papa
was
doing
what
he
disliked
.
She
was
not
in
the
least
shy
,
and
did
not
think
about
her
manner
enough
to
be
troubled
by
the
consciousness
that
it
had
a
good
deal
of
abruptness
and
eagerness
,
and
that
her
short
sight
made
her
awkward
.
Meta
met
them
with
out-stretched
hands
,
and
a
face
beaming
with
welcome
.
'
I
told
you
I
should
get
my
way
!
'
she
said
,
triumphantly
,
and
,
after
her
warm
greeting
,
she
looked
with
some
respect
at
the
face
of
the
Miss
May
,
who
was
so
very
clever
.
It
certainly
was
not
what
she
expected
,
not
at
all
like
either
of
the
four
sisters
she
had
already
seen
—
brown
,
sallow
,
and
with
that
sharp
long
nose
,
and
the
eager
eyes
,
and
brow
a
little
knit
by
the
desire
to
see
as
far
as
she
could
.
It
was
pleasanter
to
look
at
Flora
.
Ethel
left
the
talk
chiefly
to
Flora
—
there
was
wonder
and
study
enough
for
her
in
the
grounds
and
garden
,
and
when
Mrs.
Larpent
tried
to
enter
into
conversation
with
her
,
she
let
it
drop
two
or
three
times
,
while
she
was
peering
hard
at
a
picture
,
and
trying
to
make
out
its
subject
.
However
,
when
they
all
went
out
to
walk
to
Church
,
Ethel
lighted
up
,
and
talked
,
admired
,
and
asked
questions
in
her
quick
,
eager
way
,
which
interested
Mrs.
Larpent
greatly
.
The
governess
asked
after
Norman
,
and
no
more
was
wanted
to
produce
a
volume
of
histories
of
his
successes
,
till
Flora
turned
as
she
walked
before
with
Meta
,
saying
,
'
Why
,
Ethel
,
you
are
quite
overwhelming
Mrs.
Larpent
.
'
But
some
civil
answer
convinced
Ethel
that
what
she
said
was
interesting
,
and
she
would
not
be
stopped
in
her
account
of
their
anxieties
on
the
day
of
the
examination
.
Flora
was
pleased
that
Meta
,
catching
some
words
,
begged
to
hear
more
,
and
Flora
gave
an
account
of
the
matter
,
soberer
in
terms
,
but
quietly
setting
Norman
at
a
much
greater
distance
from
all
his
competitors
.
After
Church
came
the
feast
in
the
school
.
It
was
a
large
commodious
building
.
Meta
declared
it
was
very
tiresome
that
it
was
so
good
inside
,
it
was
so
ugly
,
she
should
never
rest
till
papa
had
built
her
a
real
beauty
.
They
found
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Charles
Wilmot
in
the
school
,
with
a
very
nice
well-dressed
set
of
boys
and
girls
,
and
—
but
there
is
no
need
to
describe
the
roast-beef
and
plum-pudding
,
'
the
feast
ate
merrily
,
'
and
Ethel
was
brilliantly
happy
waiting
on
the
children
,
and
so
was
sunny-hearted
Meta
.
Flora
was
too
busy
in
determining
what
the
Riverses
might
be
thinking
of
her
and
her
sister
to
give
herself
up
to
the
enjoyment
.
Ethel
found
a
small
boy
looking
ready
to
cry
at
an
untouched
slice
of
beef
.
She
examined
him
whether
he
could
cut
it
,
and
at
last
discovered
that
,
as
had
been
the
case
with
one
or
two
of
her
own
brothers
at
the
same
age
,
meat
was
repugnant
to
him
.
In
her
vehement
manner
,
she
flew
off
to
fetch
him
some
pudding
,
and
hurrying
up
,
as
she
thought
,
to
Mr.
Charles
Wilmot
,
who
had
been
giving
it
out
,
she
thrust
her
plate
between
him
and
the
dish
,
and
had
begun
her
explanation
,
when
she
perceived
it
was
a
stranger
,
and
she
stood
,
utterly
discomfited
,
not
saying
,
'
I
beg
your
pardon
,
'
but
only
blushing
,
awkward
and
confused
,
as
he
spoke
to
her
,
in
a
good-natured
,
hospitable
manner
,
which
showed
her
it
must
be
Mr.
Rivers
.
She
obtained
her
pudding
,
and
,
turning
hastily
,
retreated
.
'
Meta
,
'
said
Mr.
Rivers
,
as
his
daughter
came
out
of
the
school
with
him
,
for
,
open
and
airy
as
it
was
,
the
numbers
and
the
dinner
made
him
regard
it
as
Norman
had
viewed
the
Cocksmoor
room
,
'
was
that
one
of
the
Miss
Mays
?
'
'
Yes
,
papa
,
Ethel
,
the
third
,
the
clever
one
.
'
'
I
thought
she
must
be
one
of
them
from
her
dress
;
but
what
a
difference
between
her
and
the
others
!
'
Mr.
Rivers
was
a
great
admirer
of
beauty
,
and
Meta
,
brought
up
to
be
the
same
,
was
disappointed
,
but
consoled
herself
by
admiring
Flora
.
Ethel
,
after
the
awkwardness
was
over
,
thought
no
more
of
the
matter
,
but
went
on
in
full
enjoyment
of
the
feast
.
The
eating
finished
,
the
making
of
presents
commenced
,
and
choice
ones
they
were
.
The
smiles
of
Meta
and
of
the
children
were
a
pretty
sight
,
and
Ethel
thought
she
had
never
seen
anything
so
like
a
beneficent
fairy
.
Mr.
and
Mrs.
Wilmot
said
their
words
of
counsel
and
encouragement
,
and
,
by
five
o'clock
,
all
was
over
.
'
Oh
!
I
am
sorry
!
'
said
Meta
,
'
Easter
wo
n't
come
again
for
a
whole
year
,
and
it
has
been
so
delightful
.
How
that
dear
little
Annie
smiled
and
nursed
her
doll
!
I
wish
I
could
see
her
show
it
to
her
mother
!
Oh
!
how
nice
it
is
!
I
am
so
glad
papa
brought
me
to
live
in
the
country
.
I
do
n't
think
anything
can
be
so
charming
in
all
the
world
as
seeing
little
children
happy
!
'
Ethel
could
not
think
how
the
Wilmots
could
have
found
it
in
their
heart
to
regret
the
liberality
of
this
sweet
damsel
,
on
whom
she
began
to
look
with
Norman
's
enthusiastic
admiration
.
There
was
time
for
a
walk
round
the
grounds
,
Meta
doing
the
honours
to
Flora
,
and
Ethel
walking
with
Mrs.
Larpent
.
Both
pairs
were
very
good
friends
,
and
the
two
sisters
admired
and
were
charmed
with
the
beauty
of
the
gardens
and
conservatories
—
Ethel
laying
up
a
rich
store
of
intelligence
for
Margaret
;
but
still
she
was
not
entirely
happy
;
her
papa
was
more
and
more
on
her
mind
.
He
had
looked
dispirited
at
breakfast
;
he
had
a
long
hard
day
's
work
before
him
;
and
she
was
increasingly
uneasy
at
the
thought
that
it
would
be
a
painful
effort
to
him
to
join
them
in
the
evening
.
Her
mind
was
full
of
it
when
she
was
conducted
,
with
Flora
,
to
the
room
where
they
were
to
dress
;
and
when
Flora
began
to
express
her
delight
,
her
answer
was
only
that
she
hoped
it
was
not
very
unpleasant
to
papa
.
'
It
is
not
worth
while
to
be
unhappy
about
that
,
Ethel
.
If
it
is
an
effort
,
it
will
be
good
for
him
when
he
is
once
here
.
I
know
he
will
enjoy
it
.
'
'
Yes
,
I
should
think
he
would
—
I
hope
he
will
.
He
must
like
you
to
have
such
a
friend
as
Miss
Rivers
.
How
pretty
she
is
!
'
'
Now
,
Ethel
,
it
is
high
time
to
dress
.
Pray
make
yourself
look
nice
—
do
n't
twist
up
your
hair
in
that
any-how
fashion
.
'
Ethel
sighed
,
then
began
talking
fast
about
some
hints
on
school-keeping
which
she
had
picked
up
for
Cocksmoor
.
Flora
's
glossy
braids
were
in
full
order
,
while
Ethel
was
still
struggling
to
get
her
plait
smooth
,
and
was
extremely
beholden
to
her
sister
for
taking
it
into
her
own
hands
,
and
doing
the
best
with
it
that
its
thinness
and
roughness
permitted
.
And
then
Flora
pinched
and
pulled
and
arranged
Ethel
's
frock
,
in
vain
attempts
to
make
it
sit
like
her
own
—
those
sharp
high
bones
resisted
all
attempts
to
disguise
them
.
'
Never
mind
,
Flora
,
it
is
quite
tidy
,
I
am
sure
,
there
—
do
let
me
be
in
peace
.
You
are
like
old
nurse
.
'
'
So
those
are
all
the
thanks
I
get
?
'
'
Well
,
thank
you
very
much
,
dear
Flora
.
You
are
a
famous
person
.
How
I
wish
Margaret
could
see
that
lovely
mimosa
!
'
'
And
,
Ethel
,
do
take
care
.
Pray
do
n't
poke
and
spy
when
you
come
into
the
room
,
and
do
n't
frown
when
you
are
trying
to
see
.
I
hope
you
wo
n't
have
anything
to
help
at
dinner
.
Take
care
how
you
manage
.
'
'
I
'll
try
,
'
said
Ethel
,
meekly
,
though
a
good
deal
tormented
,
as
Flora
went
on
with
half-a-dozen
more
injunctions
,
closed
by
Meta
's
coming
to
fetch
them
.
Little
Meta
did
not
like
to
show
them
her
own
bed-room
—
she
pitied
them
so
much
when
she
thought
of
the
contrast
.
She
would
have
liked
to
put
Flora
's
arm
through
her
's
,
but
she
thought
it
would
look
neglectful
of
Ethel
;
so
she
only
showed
the
way
down
stairs
.
Ethel
forgot
all
her
sister
's
orders
;
for
there
stood
her
father
,
and
she
looked
most
earnestly
at
his
face
.
It
was
cheerful
,
and
his
voice
sounded
well-pleased
as
he
greeted
Meta
;
then
resumed
an
animated
talk
with
Mr.
Rivers
.
Ethel
drew
as
near
him
as
she
could
;
she
had
a
sense
of
protection
,
and
could
open
to
full
enjoyment
when
she
saw
him
bright
.
At
the
first
pause
in
the
conversation
,
the
gentlemen
turned
to
the
young
ladies
.
Mr.
Rivers
began
talking
to
Flora
,
and
Dr.
May
,
after
a
few
pleasant
words
to
Meta
,
went
back
to
Ethel
.
He
wanted
her
to
see
his
favourite
pictures
—
he
led
her
up
to
them
,
made
her
put
on
his
spectacles
to
see
them
better
,
and
showed
her
their
special
merits
.
Mr.
Rivers
and
the
others
joined
them
;
Ethel
said
little
,
except
a
remark
or
two
in
answer
to
her
papa
,
but
she
was
very
happy
—
she
felt
that
he
liked
to
have
her
with
him
;
and
Meta
,
too
,
was
struck
by
the
soundness
of
her
few
sayings
,
and
the
participation
there
seemed
to
be
in
all
things
between
the
father
and
daughter
.
At
dinner
Ethel
went
on
pretty
well
.
She
was
next
to
her
father
,
and
was
very
glad
to
find
the
dinner
so
grand
,
that
no
side-dish
fell
to
her
lot
to
be
carved
.
There
was
a
great
deal
of
pleasant
talk
,
such
as
the
girls
could
understand
,
though
they
did
not
join
much
in
it
,
except
that
now
and
then
Dr.
May
turned
to
Ethel
as
a
reference
for
names
and
dates
.
To
make
up
for
silence
at
dinner
,
there
was
a
most
confidential
chatter
in
the
drawing-room
.
Flora
and
Meta
on
one
side
,
hand
in
hand
,
calling
each
other
by
their
Christian
names
,
Mrs.
Larpent
and
Ethel
on
the
other
.
Flora
dreaded
only
that
Ethel
was
talking
too
much
,
and
revealing
too
much
in
how
different
style
they
lived
.
Then
came
the
gentlemen
,
Dr.
May
begging
Mr.
Rivers
to
show
Ethel
one
of
his
prints
,
when
Ethel
stooped
more
than
ever
,
as
if
her
eyelashes
were
feelers
,
but
she
was
in
transports
of
delight
,
and
her
embarrassment
entirely
at
an
end
in
her
admiration
,
as
she
exclaimed
and
discussed
with
her
papa
,
and
by
her
hearty
appreciation
made
Mr.
Rivers
for
the
time
forget
her
plainness
.
Music
followed
;
Flora
played
nicely
,
Meta
like
a
well-taught
girl
,
Ethel
went
on
musing
over
the
engravings
.
The
carriage
was
announced
,
and
so
ended
the
day
in
Norman
's
fairy
land
.
Ethel
went
home
,
leaning
hard
against
her
papa
,
talking
to
him
of
Raffaelle
's
Madonnas
;
and
looking
out
at
the
stars
,
and
thinking
how
the
heavenly
beauty
of
those
faces
that
,
in
the
prints
she
had
been
turning
over
,
seemed
to
be
connected
with
the
glories
of
the
dark-blue
sky
and
glowing
stars
.
'
As
one
star
differeth
from
another
star
in
glory
,
'
murmured
she
;
'
that
was
the
lesson
to-day
,
papa
;
'
and
when
she
felt
him
press
her
hand
,
she
knew
he
was
thinking
of
that
last
time
she
had
heard
the
lesson
,
when
he
had
not
been
with
her
,
and
her
thoughts
went
with
his
,
though
not
another
word
was
spoken
.
Flora
hardly
knew
when
they
ceased
to
talk
.
She
had
musings
equally
engrossing
of
her
own
.
She
saw
she
was
likely
to
be
very
intimate
with
Meta
Rivers
,
and
she
was
roaming
away
into
schemes
for
not
letting
the
intercourse
drop
,
and
hopes
of
being
admitted
to
many
a
pleasure
,
as
yet
little
within
her
reach
—
parties
,
balls
,
London
itself
,
and
,
above
all
,
the
satisfaction
of
being
admired
.
The
certainty
that
Mr.
Rivers
thought
her
pretty
and
agreeable
,
had
gratified
her
all
the
evening
,
and
if
he
,
with
his
refined
taste
,
thought
so
,
what
would
others
think
?
Her
only
fear
was
,
that
Ethel
's
awkwardness
might
make
an
unfavourable
impression
,
but
,
at
least
,
she
said
to
herself
,
it
was
anything
but
vulgar
awkwardness
.
Their
reflections
were
interrupted
by
the
fly
stopping
.
It
was
at
a
little
shop
in
the
outskirts
of
the
town
,
and
Dr.
May
explained
that
he
wanted
to
inquire
for
a
patient
.
He
went
in
for
a
moment
,
then
came
back
to
desire
that
they
would
go
home
,
for
he
should
be
detained
some
little
time
.
No
one
need
sit
up
for
him
—
he
would
let
himself
in
.
It
seemed
a
comment
on
Ethel
's
thoughts
,
bringing
them
back
to
the
present
hour
.
That
daily
work
of
homely
mercy
,
hoping
for
nothing
again
,
was
surely
the
true
way
of
doing
service
.
CHAPTER
XXI
.
How
,
if
he
will
not
stand
?
Why
,
then
,
take
no
note
of
him
,
but
let
him
go
.
Much
Ado
about
Nothing
.
Dr.
May
promised
Margaret
that
he
would
see
whether
the
black
hole
of
Cocksmoor
was
all
that
Norman
depicted
it
,
and
,
accordingly
,
he
came
home
that
way
on
Tuesday
evening
,
the
next
week
,
much
to
the
astonishment
of
Richard
,
who
was
in
the
act
of
so
mending
the
window
that
it
might
let
in
air
when
open
,
and
keep
it
out
when
shut
,
neither
of
which
purposes
had
it
ever
yet
answered
.
Dr.
May
walked
in
,
met
his
daughter
's
look
of
delight
and
surprise
,
spoke
cheerfully
to
Mrs.
Green
,
a
hospital
acquaintance
of
his
,
like
half
the
rest
of
the
country
,
and
made
her
smile
and
courtesy
by
asking
if
she
was
not
surprised
at
such
doings
in
her
house
;
then
looked
at
the
children
,
and
patted
the
head
that
looked
most
fit
to
pat
,
inquired
who
was
the
best
scholar
,
and
offered
a
penny
to
whoever
could
spell
copper
tea-kettle
,
which
being
done
by
three
merry
mortals
,
and
having
made
him
extremely
popular
,
he
offered
Ethel
a
lift
,
and
carried
her
off
between
him
and
Adams
,
on
whom
he
now
depended
for
driving
him
,
since
Richard
was
going
to
Oxford
at
once
.
It
was
possible
to
spare
him
now
.
Dr.
May
's
arm
was
as
well
as
he
expected
it
ever
would
be
;
he
had
discarded
the
sling
,
and
could
use
his
hand
again
,
but
the
arm
was
still
stiff
and
weak
—
he
could
not
stretch
it
out
,
nor
use
it
for
anything
requiring
strength
;
it
soon
grew
tired
with
writing
,
and
his
daughters
feared
that
it
ached
more
than
he
chose
to
confess
,
when
they
saw
it
resting
in
the
breast
of
his
waistcoat
.
Driving
he
never
would
have
attempted
again
,
even
if
he
could
,
and
he
had
quite
given
up
carving
—
he
could
better
bear
to
sit
at
the
side
,
than
at
the
bottom
of
the
dinner-table
.
Means
of
carrying
Margaret
safely
had
been
arranged
by
Richard
,
and
there
was
no
necessity
for
longer
delaying
his
going
to
Oxford
,
but
he
was
so
unwillingly
spared
by
all
,
as
to
put
him
quite
into
good
spirits
.
Ethel
was
much
concerned
to
lose
him
from
Cocksmoor
,
and
dreaded
hindrances
to
her
going
thither
without
his
escort
;
but
she
had
much
trust
in
having
her
father
on
her
side
,
and
meant
to
get
authority
from
him
for
the
propriety
of
going
alone
with
Mary
.
She
did
not
know
how
Norman
had
jeopardized
her
projects
,
but
the
danger
blew
over
.
Dr.
May
told
Margaret
that
the
place
was
clean
and
wholesome
,
and
though
more
smoky
than
might
be
preferred
,
there
was
nothing
to
do
anyone
in
health
any
harm
,
especially
when
the
walk
there
and
back
was
over
the
fresh
moor
.
He
lectured
Ethel
herself
on
opening
the
window
,
now
that
she
could
;
and
advised
Norman
to
go
and
spend
an
hour
in
the
school
,
that
he
might
learn
how
pleasant
peat-smoke
was
—
a
speech
Norman
did
not
like
at
all
.
The
real
touchstone
of
temper
is
ridicule
on
a
point
where
we
do
not
choose
to
own
ourselves
fastidious
,
and
if
it
had
been
from
anyone
but
his
father
,
Norman
would
not
have
so
entirely
kept
down
his
irritation
.
Richard
passed
his
examination
successfully
,
and
Dr.
May
wrote
himself
to
express
his
satisfaction
.
Nothing
went
wrong
just
now
except
little
Tom
,
who
seemed
to
be
justifying
Richard
's
fears
of
the
consequence
of
exciting
his
father
's
anger
.
At
home
,
he
shrank
and
hesitated
at
the
simplest
question
if
put
by
his
father
suddenly
;
and
the
appearance
of
cowardice
and
prevarication
displeasing
Dr.
May
further
,
rendered
his
tone
louder
,
and
frightened
Tom
the
more
,
giving
his
manner
an
air
of
sullen
reserve
that
was
most
unpleasant
.
At
school
,
it
was
much
the
same
—
he
kept
aloof
from
Norman
,
and
threw
himself
more
into
the
opposite
faction
,
by
whom
he
was
shielded
from
all
punishment
,
except
what
they
chose
themselves
to
inflict
on
him
.
Norman
's
post
as
head
of
the
school
was
rendered
more
difficult
by
the
departure
of
his
friend
Cheviot
,
who
had
always
upheld
his
authority
;
Harvey
Anderson
did
not
openly
transgress
,
for
he
had
a
character
to
maintain
,
but
it
was
well
known
throughout
the
school
that
there
was
a
wide
difference
between
the
boys
,
and
that
Anderson
thought
it
absurd
,
superfluous
,
and
troublesome
in
May
not
to
wink
at
abuses
which
appeared
to
be
licensed
by
long
standing
.
When
Edward
Anderson
,
Axworthy
,
and
their
set
,
broke
through
rules
,
it
was
with
the
understanding
that
the
second
boy
in
the
school
would
support
them
,
if
he
durst
.
The
summer
,
and
the
cricket
season
,
brought
the
battle
of
Ballhatchet
's
house
to
issue
.
The
cricket
ground
was
the
field
close
to
it
,
and
for
the
last
two
or
three
years
there
had
been
a
frequent
custom
of
despatching
juniors
to
his
house
for
tarts
and
ginger-beer
bottles
.
Norman
knew
of
instances
last
year
in
which
this
had
led
to
serious
mischief
,
and
had
made
up
his
mind
that
,
at
whatever
loss
of
popularity
,
it
was
his
duty
to
put
a
stop
to
the
practice
.
He
was
an
ardent
cricketer
himself
,
and
though
the
game
did
not
,
in
anticipation
,
seem
to
him
to
have
all
the
charms
of
last
year
,
he
entered
into
it
with
full
zest
when
once
engaged
.
But
his
eye
was
on
all
parts
of
the
field
,
and
especially
on
the
corner
by
the
bridge
,
and
the
boys
knew
him
well
enough
to
attempt
nothing
unlawful
within
the
range
of
that
glance
.
However
,
the
constant
vigilance
was
a
strain
too
great
to
be
always
kept
up
,
and
he
had
reason
to
believe
he
was
eluded
more
than
once
.
At
last
came
a
capture
,
something
like
that
of
Tom
,
one
which
he
could
not
have
well
avoided
making
.
The
victim
was
George
Larkins
,
the
son
of
a
clergyman
in
the
neighbourhood
,
a
wild
,
merry
varlet
,
who
got
into
mischief
rather
for
the
sake
of
the
fun
than
from
any
bad
disposition
.
His
look
of
consternation
was
exaggerated
into
a
most
comical
caricature
,
in
order
to
hide
how
much
of
it
was
real
.
'
So
you
are
at
that
trick
,
Larkins
.
'
'
There
!
that
bet
is
lost
!
'
exclaimed
Larkins
.
'
I
laid
Hill
half-a-crown
that
you
would
not
see
me
when
you
were
mooning
over
your
verses
!
'
'
Well
,
I
have
seen
you
.
And
now
—
?
'
'
Come
,
you
would
not
thrash
a
fellow
when
you
have
just
lost
him
half-a-crown
!
Single
misfortunes
never
come
alone
,
they
say
;
so
there
's
my
money
and
my
credit
gone
,
to
say
nothing
of
Ballhatchet
's
ginger-beer
!
'
The
boy
made
such
absurd
faces
,
that
Norman
could
hardly
help
laughing
,
though
he
wished
to
make
it
a
serious
affair
.
'
You
know
,
Larkins
,
I
have
given
out
that
such
things
are
not
to
be
.
It
is
a
melancholy
fact
.
'
'
Aye
!
so
you
must
make
an
example
of
me
!
'
said
Larkins
,
pretending
to
look
resigned
.
'
Better
call
all
the
fellows
together
,
had
n't
you
,
and
make
it
more
effective
?
It
would
be
grateful
to
one
's
feelings
,
you
know
—
and
June
,
'
added
he
,
with
a
ridiculous
confidential
air
,
'
if
you
'll
only
lay
it
on
soft
,
I
'll
take
care
it
makes
noise
enough
.
Great
cry
,
little
wool
,
you
know
.
'
'
Come
with
me
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
I
'll
take
care
you
are
example
enough
.
What
did
you
give
for
those
articles
?
'
'
Fifteen-pence
half-penny
.
Rascally
dear
,
is
n't
it
?
but
the
old
rogue
makes
one
pay
double
for
the
risk
!
You
are
making
his
fortune
,
you
have
raised
his
prices
fourfold
.
'
'
I
'll
take
care
of
that
.
'
'
Why
,
where
are
you
taking
me
?
Back
to
him
?
'
'
I
am
going
to
gratify
your
wish
to
be
an
example
.
'
'
A
gibbet
!
a
gibbet
!
'
cried
Larkins
.
'
I
'm
to
be
turned
off
on
the
spot
where
the
crime
took
place
—
a
warning
to
all
beholders
.
Only
let
me
send
home
for
old
Neptune
's
chain
,
if
you
please
,
sir
—
if
you
hang
me
in
the
combined
watch-chains
of
the
school
,
I
fear
they
would
give
way
,
and
defeat
the
purposes
of
justice
.
'
They
were
by
this
time
at
the
bridge
.
'
Come
in
,
'
said
Norman
,
to
his
follower
,
as
he
crossed
the
entrance
of
the
little
shop
,
the
first
time
he
had
ever
been
there
.
A
little
cringing
shrivelled
old
man
stood
up
in
astonishment
.
'
Mr
.
May
!
can
I
have
the
pleasure
,
sir
?
'
'
Mr
.
Ballhatchet
,
you
know
that
it
is
contrary
to
the
rules
that
there
should
be
any
traffic
with
the
school
without
special
permission
.
'
'
Yes
,
sir
—
just
nothing
sir
—
only
when
the
young
gentlemen
come
here
,
sir
—
I
'm
an
old
man
,
sir
,
and
I
do
n't
like
not
to
oblige
a
young
gentleman
,
sir
,
'
pleaded
the
old
man
,
in
a
great
fright
.
'
Very
likely
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
but
I
am
come
to
give
you
fair
notice
.
I
am
not
going
to
allow
the
boys
here
to
be
continually
smuggling
spirits
into
the
school
.
'
'
Spirits
!
bless
you
,
sir
,
I
never
thought
of
no
sich
a
thing
!
'
Tis
nothing
in
life
but
ginger-beer
—
very
cooling
drink
,
sir
,
of
my
wife
's
making
;
she
had
the
receipt
from
her
grandmother
up
in
Leicestershire
.
Wo
n't
you
taste
a
bottle
,
sir
?
'
and
he
hastily
made
a
cork
bounce
,
and
poured
it
out
.
That
,
of
course
,
was
genuine
,
but
Norman
was
'
up
to
him
,
'
in
school-boy
phrase
.
'
Give
me
yours
,
Larkins
.
'
No
pop
ensued
.
Larkins
,
enjoying
the
detection
,
put
his
hands
on
his
knees
,
and
looked
wickedly
up
in
the
old
man
's
face
to
see
what
was
coming
.
'
Bless
me
!
It
is
a
little
flat
.
I
wonder
how
that
happened
?
I
'll
be
most
happy
to
change
it
,
sir
.
Wife
!
what
's
the
meaning
of
Mr.
Larkins
's
ginger-pop
being
so
flat
?
'
'
It
is
very
curious
ginger-beer
indeed
,
Mr.
Ballhatchet
,
'
said
Norman
;
'
and
since
it
is
liable
to
have
such
strange
properties
,
I
cannot
allow
it
to
be
used
any
more
at
the
school
.
'
'
Very
well
,
sir
—
as
you
please
,
sir
.
You
are
the
first
gentleman
as
has
objected
,
sir
.
'
'
And
,
once
for
all
,
I
give
you
warning
,
'
added
Norman
,
'
that
if
I
have
reason
to
believe
you
have
been
obliging
the
young
gentlemen
,
the
magistrates
and
the
trustees
of
the
road
shall
certainly
hear
of
it
.
'
'
You
would
not
hurt
a
poor
man
,
sir
,
as
is
drove
to
it
—
you
as
has
such
a
name
for
goodness
.
'
'
I
have
given
you
warning
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
The
next
time
I
find
any
of
your
bottles
in
the
school
fields
,
your
license
goes
.
Now
,
there
are
your
goods
.
Give
Mr.
Larkins
back
the
fifteen-pence
.
I
wonder
you
are
not
ashamed
of
such
a
charge
!
'
Having
extracted
the
money
,
Norman
turned
to
leave
the
shop
.
Larkins
,
triumphant
,
'
Ha
!
there
's
Harrison
!
'
as
the
tutor
rode
by
,
and
they
touched
their
caps
.
'
How
he
stared
!
My
eyes
!
June
,
you
'll
be
had
up
for
dealing
with
old
Ball
!
'
and
he
went
into
an
ecstasy
of
laughing
.
'
You
've
settled
him
,
I
believe
.
Well
,
is
justice
satisfied
?
'
'
It
would
be
no
use
thrashing
you
,
'
said
Norman
,
laughing
,
as
he
leant
against
the
parapet
of
the
bridge
,
and
pinched
the
boy
's
ear
.
'
There
's
nothing
to
be
got
out
of
you
but
chaff
.
'
Larkins
was
charmed
with
the
compliment
.
'
But
I
'll
tell
you
what
,
Larkins
,
I
ca
n't
think
how
a
fellow
like
you
can
go
and
give
in
to
these
sneaking
,
underhand
tricks
that
make
you
ashamed
to
look
one
in
the
face
.
'
'
It
is
only
for
the
fun
of
it
.
'
'
Well
,
I
wish
you
would
find
your
fun
some
other
way
.
Come
,
Larkins
,
recollect
yourself
a
little
—
you
have
a
home
not
so
far
off
.
How
do
you
think
your
father
and
mother
would
fancy
seeing
you
reading
the
book
you
had
yesterday
,
or
coming
out
of
Ballhatchet
's
with
a
bottle
of
spirits
,
called
by
a
false
name
?
'
Larkins
pinched
his
fingers
;
home
was
a
string
that
could
touch
him
,
but
it
seemed
beneath
him
to
own
it
.
At
that
moment
a
carriage
approached
,
the
boy
's
whole
face
lighted
up
,
and
he
jumped
forward
.
'
Our
own
!
'
he
cried
.
'
There
she
is
!
'
She
was
,
of
course
,
his
mother
;
and
Norman
,
though
turning
hastily
away
that
his
presence
might
prove
no
restraint
,
saw
the
boy
fly
over
the
door
of
the
open
carriage
,
and
could
have
sobbed
at
the
thought
of
what
that
meeting
was
.
'
Who
was
that
with
you
?
'
asked
Mrs.
Larkins
,
when
she
had
obtained
leave
to
have
her
boy
with
her
,
while
she
did
her
shopping
.
'
That
was
May
senior
,
our
Dux
.
'
'
Was
it
?
I
am
very
glad
you
should
be
with
him
,
my
dear
George
.
He
is
very
kind
to
you
,
I
hope
?
'
'
He
is
a
jolly
good
fellow
,
'
said
Larkins
,
sincerely
,
though
by
no
means
troubling
himself
as
to
the
appropriateness
of
the
eulogy
,
nor
thinking
it
necessary
to
explain
to
his
mother
the
terms
of
the
conversation
.
It
was
not
fruitless
;
Larkins
did
avoid
mischief
when
it
was
not
extremely
inviting
,
was
more
amenable
to
May
senior
,
and
having
been
put
in
mind
by
him
of
his
home
,
was
not
ashamed
to
bring
the
thought
to
the
aid
of
his
eyes
,
when
,
on
Sunday
,
during
a
long
sermon
of
Mr.
Ramsden
's
,
he
knew
that
Axworthy
was
making
the
grimace
which
irresistibly
incited
him
to
make
a
still
finer
one
.
And
Ballhatchet
was
so
much
convinced
of
'
that
there
young
May
'
being
in
earnest
,
that
he
assured
his
persuasive
customers
that
it
was
as
much
as
his
license
was
worth
,
to
supply
them
.
Evil
and
insubordination
were
more
easily
kept
under
than
Norman
had
expected
,
when
he
first
made
up
his
mind
to
the
struggle
.
Firmness
had
so
far
carried
the
day
,
and
the
power
of
manful
assertion
of
the
right
had
been
proved
,
contrary
to
Cheviot
's
parting
auguries
,
that
he
would
only
make
himself
disliked
,
and
do
no
good
.
The
whole
of
the
school
was
extremely
excited
this
summer
by
a
proceeding
of
Mr.
Tomkins
,
the
brewer
,
who
suddenly
closed
up
the
foot-way
called
Randall
's
Alley
,
declaring
that
there
was
no
right
of
passage
through
a
certain
field
at
the
back
of
his
brewery
.
Not
only
the
school
,
but
the
town
was
indignant
,
and
the
Mays
especially
so
.
It
had
been
the
Doctor
's
way
to
school
forty
years
ago
,
and
there
were
recollections
connected
with
it
that
made
him
regard
it
with
personal
affection
.
Norman
,
too
,
could
not
bear
to
lose
it
;
he
had
not
entirely
conquered
his
reluctance
to
pass
that
spot
in
the
High
Street
,
and
the
loss
of
the
alley
would
be
a
positive
deprivation
to
him
.
Almost
every
native
of
Stoneborough
felt
strongly
the
encroachment
of
the
brewer
,
and
the
boys
,
of
course
,
carried
the
sentiment
to
exaggeration
.
The
propensity
to
public
speaking
perhaps
added
to
the
excitement
,
for
Norman
May
,
and
Harvey
Anderson
,
for
once
in
unison
,
each
made
a
vehement
harangue
in
the
school-court
—
Anderson
's
a
fine
specimen
of
the
village
Hampden
style
,
about
Britons
never
suffering
indignities
,
and
free-born
Englishmen
swelling
at
injuries
.
'
That
they
do
,
my
hearty
,
'
interjected
Larkins
,
pointing
to
an
inflamed
eye
that
had
not
returned
to
its
right
dimensions
.
However
,
Anderson
went
on
unmoved
by
the
under
titter
,
and
demonstrated
,
to
the
full
satisfaction
of
all
the
audience
,
that
nothing
could
be
more
illegal
and
unfounded
than
the
brewer
's
claims
.
Then
came
a
great
outburst
from
Norman
,
with
all
his
father
's
headlong
vehemence
;
the
way
was
the
right
of
the
town
,
the
walk
had
been
trodden
by
their
forefathers
for
generations
past
—
it
had
been
made
by
the
good
old
generous-hearted
man
who
loved
his
town
and
townspeople
,
and
would
have
heard
with
shame
and
anger
of
a
stranger
,
a
new
inhabitant
,
a
grasping
radical
,
caring
,
as
radicals
always
did
,
for
no
rights
,
but
for
their
own
chance
of
unjust
gains
,
coming
here
to
Stoneborough
to
cut
them
off
from
their
own
path
.
He
talk
of
liberalism
and
the
rights
of
the
poor
!
He
who
cut
off
Randall
's
poor
old
creatures
in
the
almshouses
from
their
short
way
!
and
then
came
some
stories
of
his
oppression
as
a
poor-law
guardian
,
which
greatly
aggravated
the
wrath
of
the
speaker
and
audience
,
though
otherwise
they
did
not
exactly
bear
on
the
subject
.
'
What
would
old
Nicholas
Randall
say
to
these
nineteenth-century
doings
!
'
finished
Norman
.
'
Down
with
them
!
'
cried
a
voice
from
the
throng
,
probably
Larkins
's
;
but
there
was
no
desire
to
investigate
,
it
was
the
universal
sentiment
.
'
Down
with
it
!
Hurrah
,
we
'll
have
our
footpath
open
again
!
Down
with
the
fences
!
Britons
never
shall
be
slaves
!
'
as
Larkins
finally
ejaculated
.
'
That
's
the
way
to
bring
it
to
bear
!
'
said
Harvey
Anderson
.
'
See
if
he
dares
to
bring
an
action
against
us
.
Hurrah
!
'
'
Yes
,
that
's
the
way
to
settle
it
,
'
said
Norman
.
'
Let
's
have
it
down
.
It
is
an
oppressive
,
arbitrary
,
shameful
proceeding
,
and
we
'll
show
him
we
wo
n't
submit
to
it
!
'
Carried
along
by
the
general
feeling
,
the
whole
troop
of
boys
dashed
shouting
up
to
the
barricade
at
the
entrance
of
the
field
,
and
levelled
it
with
the
ground
.
A
handkerchief
was
fastened
to
the
top
of
one
of
the
stakes
,
and
waved
over
the
brewhouse
wall
,
and
some
of
the
boys
were
for
picking
up
stones
and
dirt
,
and
launching
them
over
,
in
hopes
of
spoiling
the
beer
;
but
Norman
put
a
stop
to
this
,
and
brought
them
back
to
the
school-yard
,
still
in
a
noisy
state
of
exultation
.
It
cooled
a
little
by-and-by
under
the
doubt
how
their
exploit
would
be
taken
.
At
home
,
Norman
found
it
already
known
,
and
his
father
half
glad
,
half
vexed
,
enjoying
the
victory
over
Tomkins
,
yet
a
little
uneasy
on
his
son
's
behalf
.
'
What
will
Dr.
Hoxton
say
to
the
dux
?
'
said
he
.
'
I
did
n't
know
he
was
to
be
dux
in
mischief
as
well
as
out
of
it
.
'
'
You
ca
n't
call
it
mischief
,
papa
,
to
resent
an
unwarranted
encroachment
of
our
rights
by
such
an
old
ruffian
as
that
.
One
's
blood
is
up
to
think
of
the
things
he
has
done
!
'
'
He
richly
deserves
it
,
no
doubt
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
'
and
yet
I
wish
you
had
been
out
of
the
row
.
If
there
is
any
blame
,
you
will
be
the
first
it
will
light
on
.
'
'
I
am
glad
of
it
,
that
is
but
just
.
Anderson
and
I
seem
to
have
stirred
it
up
—
if
it
wanted
stirring
—
for
it
was
in
every
fellow
there
;
indeed
,
I
had
no
notion
it
was
coming
to
this
when
I
began
.
'
'
Oratory
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
smiling
.
'
Ha
,
Norman
!
Think
a
little
another
time
,
my
boy
,
before
you
take
the
law
into
your
own
hands
,
or
,
what
is
worse
,
into
a
lot
of
hands
you
ca
n't
control
for
good
,
though
you
may
excite
them
to
harm
.
'
Dr.
Hoxton
did
not
come
into
school
at
the
usual
hour
,
and
,
in
the
course
of
the
morning
,
sent
for
May
senior
,
to
speak
to
him
in
his
study
.
He
looked
very
broad
,
awful
,
and
dignified
,
as
he
informed
him
that
Mr.
Tomkins
had
just
been
with
him
to
complain
of
the
damage
that
had
been
done
,
and
he
appeared
extremely
displeased
that
the
Dux
should
have
been
no
check
on
such
proceedings
.
'
I
am
sorry
,
sir
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
but
I
believe
it
was
the
general
feeling
that
he
had
no
right
to
stop
the
alley
,
and
,
therefore
,
that
it
could
not
be
wrong
to
break
it
down
.
'
'
Whether
he
has
a
right
or
not
,
is
not
a
question
to
be
settled
by
you
.
So
I
find
that
you
,
whose
proper
office
it
is
to
keep
order
,
have
been
inflaming
the
mischievous
and
aggressive
spirit
amongst
the
others
.
I
am
surprised
at
you
;
I
thought
you
were
more
to
be
depended
upon
,
May
,
in
your
position
.
'
Norman
coloured
a
good
deal
,
and
simply
answered
,
'
I
am
sorry
,
sir
.
'
'
Take
care
,
then
,
that
nothing
of
the
kind
happens
again
,
'
said
Dr.
Hoxton
,
who
was
very
fond
of
him
,
and
did
not
find
fault
with
him
willingly
.
That
the
first
inflammatory
discourse
had
been
made
by
Anderson
,
did
not
appear
to
be
known
—
he
only
came
in
for
the
general
reprimand
given
to
the
school
.
It
was
reported
the
following
evening
,
just
as
the
town
boys
turned
out
to
go
to
their
homes
,
that
'
old
Tomkins
had
his
fence
up
five
times
higher
than
before
.
'
'
Have
at
him
again
,
say
I
!
'
exclaimed
Axworthy
.
'
What
business
has
he
coming
stopping
up
ways
that
were
made
before
he
was
born
?
'
'
We
shall
catch
it
from
the
Doctor
if
we
do
,
'
said
Edward
Anderson
.
'
He
looked
in
no
end
of
a
rage
yesterday
when
he
talked
about
the
credit
of
the
school
.
'
'
Who
cares
for
the
credit
of
the
school
?
'
said
the
elder
Anderson
;
'
we
are
out
of
the
school
now
—
we
are
townsmen
—
Stoneborough
boys
—
citizens
not
bound
to
submit
to
injustice
.
No
,
no
,
the
old
rogue
knew
it
would
not
stand
if
it
was
brought
into
court
,
so
he
brings
down
old
Hoxton
on
us
instead
—
a
dirty
trick
he
deserves
to
be
punished
for
.
'
And
there
was
a
general
shout
and
yell
in
reply
.
'
Anderson
,
'
said
Norman
,
'
you
had
better
not
excite
them
again
,
they
are
ripe
for
mischief
.
It
will
go
further
than
it
did
yesterday
—
do
n't
you
see
?
'
Anderson
could
not
afford
to
get
into
a
scrape
without
May
to
stand
before
him
,
and
rather
sulkily
he
assented
.
'
It
is
of
no
use
to
rave
about
old
Tomkins
,
'
proceeded
Norman
,
in
his
style
of
popular
oratory
.
'
If
it
is
illegal
,
some
one
will
go
to
law
about
it
,
and
we
shall
have
our
alley
again
.
We
have
shown
him
our
mind
once
,
and
that
is
enough
;
if
we
let
him
alone
now
,
he
will
see
'
tis
only
because
we
are
ordered
,
not
for
his
sake
.
It
would
be
just
putting
him
in
the
right
,
and
may
be
winning
his
cause
for
him
,
to
use
any
more
violence
.
There
's
law
for
you
,
Anderson
.
So
now
no
more
about
it
—
let
us
all
go
home
like
rational
fellows
.
August
,
where
's
August
?
'
Tom
was
not
visible
—
he
generally
avoided
going
home
with
his
brother
,
and
Norman
having
seen
the
boys
divide
into
two
or
three
little
parties
,
as
their
roads
lay
homewards
,
found
he
had
an
hour
of
light
for
an
expedition
of
his
own
,
along
the
bank
of
the
river
.
He
had
taken
up
botany
with
much
ardour
,
and
sharing
the
study
with
Margaret
was
a
great
delight
to
both
.
There
was
a
report
that
the
rare
yellow
bog-bean
grew
in
a
meadow
about
a
mile
and
a
half
up
the
river
,
and
thither
he
was
bound
,
extremely
enjoying
the
summer
evening
walk
,
as
the
fresh
dewy
coolness
sunk
on
all
around
,
and
the
noises
of
the
town
were
mellowed
by
distance
,
and
the
sun
's
last
beams
slanted
on
the
green
meadows
,
and
the
May-flies
danced
,
and
dragon-flies
darted
,
and
fish
rose
or
leapt
high
in
the
air
,
or
showed
their
spotted
sides
,
and
opened
and
shut
their
gills
,
as
they
rested
in
the
clear
water
,
and
the
evening
breeze
rustled
in
the
tall
reeds
,
and
brought
fragrance
from
the
fresh-mown
hay
.
It
was
complete
enjoyment
to
Norman
after
his
day
's
study
,
and
the
rule
and
watch
over
the
unruly
crowd
of
boys
,
and
he
walked
and
wandered
,
and
collected
plants
for
Margaret
till
the
sun
was
down
,
and
the
grasshoppers
chirped
clamorously
,
while
the
fern-owl
purred
,
and
the
beetle
hummed
,
and
the
skimming
swallows
had
given
place
to
the
soft-winged
bat
,
and
the
large
white
owl
floating
over
the
fields
as
it
moused
in
the
long
grass
.
The
summer
twilight
was
sobering
every
tint
,
when
,
as
Norman
crossed
the
cricket-field
,
he
heard
,
in
the
distance
,
a
loud
shout
.
He
looked
up
,
and
it
seemed
to
him
that
he
saw
some
black
specks
dancing
in
the
forbidden
field
,
and
something
like
the
waving
of
a
flag
,
but
it
was
not
light
enough
to
be
certain
,
and
he
walked
quickly
home
.
The
front
door
was
fastened
,
and
,
while
he
was
waiting
to
be
let
in
,
Mr.
Harrison
walked
by
,
and
called
out
,
'
You
are
late
at
home
to-night
—
it
is
half-past
nine
.
'
'
I
have
been
taking
a
walk
,
Sir
.
'
A
good-night
was
the
answer
,
as
he
was
admitted
.
Everyone
in
the
drawing-room
looked
up
,
and
exclaimed
,
as
he
entered
,
'
Where
's
Tom
?
'
'
What
!
he
is
not
come
home
?
'
'
No
!
Was
he
not
with
you
?
'
'
I
missed
him
after
school
.
I
was
persuaded
he
was
come
home
.
I
have
been
to
look
for
the
yellow
bog-bean
.
There
,
Margaret
.
Had
not
I
better
go
and
look
for
him
?
'
'
Yes
,
do
,
'
said
Dr.
May
.
'
The
boy
is
never
off
one
's
mind
.
'
A
sort
of
instinctive
dread
directed
Norman
's
steps
down
the
open
portion
of
Randall
's
Alley
,
and
,
voices
growing
louder
as
he
came
nearer
,
confirmed
his
suspicions
.
The
fence
at
this
end
was
down
,
and
,
on
entering
the
field
,
a
gleam
of
light
met
his
eye
on
the
ground
—
a
cloud
of
smoke
,
black
figures
were
flitting
round
it
,
pushing
brands
into
red
places
,
and
feeding
the
bonfire
.
'
What
have
you
been
doing
?
'
exclaimed
Norman
.
'
You
have
got
yourselves
into
a
tremendous
scrape
!
'
A
peal
of
laughter
,
and
shout
of
'
Randall
and
Stoneborough
for
ever
!
'
was
the
reply
.
'
August
!
May
junior
!
Tom
!
answer
me
!
Is
he
here
?
'
asked
Norman
,
not
solicitous
to
identify
anyone
.
But
gruff
voices
broke
in
upon
them
.
'
There
they
are
,
nothing
like
'
em
for
mischief
.
'
'
Come
,
young
gentlemen
,
'
said
a
policeman
,
'
be
off
,
if
you
please
.
We
do
n't
want
to
have
none
of
you
at
the
Station
to-night
.
'
A
general
hurry-skurry
ensued
.
Norman
alone
,
strong
in
innocence
,
walked
quietly
away
,
and
,
as
he
came
forth
from
the
darkness
of
the
Alley
,
beheld
something
scouring
away
before
him
,
in
the
direction
of
home
.
It
popped
in
at
the
front
door
before
him
,
but
was
not
in
the
drawing-room
.
He
strode
up-stairs
,
called
,
but
was
not
answered
,
and
found
,
under
the
bed-clothes
,
a
quivering
mass
,
consisting
of
Tom
,
with
all
his
clothes
on
,
fully
persuaded
that
it
was
the
policeman
who
was
pursuing
him
.
CHAPTER
XXII
.
'
Oh
Life
,
without
thy
chequered
scene
,
Of
right
and
wrong
,
of
weal
and
woe
,
Success
and
failure
,
could
a
ground
For
magnanimity
be
found
?
'
Wordsworth
.
Doctor
May
was
called
for
late
the
next
day
,
Friday
,
and
spent
some
time
in
one
of
the
houses
near
the
river
.
It
was
nearly
eight
o'clock
when
he
came
away
,
and
he
lingered
,
looking
towards
the
school
,
in
hopes
of
a
walk
home
with
his
boys
.
Presently
he
saw
Norman
come
out
from
under
the
archway
,
his
cap
drawn
over
his
face
,
and
step
,
gesture
,
and
manner
,
betraying
that
something
was
seriously
wrong
.
He
came
up
almost
to
his
father
without
seeing
him
,
until
startled
by
his
exclamation
,
'
Norman
—
why
Norman
,
what
's
the
matter
?
'
Norman
's
lips
quivered
,
and
his
face
was
pale
—
he
seemed
as
if
he
could
not
speak
.
'
Where
's
Tom
?
'
said
the
Doctor
,
much
alarmed
.
'
Has
he
got
into
disgrace
about
this
business
of
Tomkins
?
That
boy
—
'
'
He
has
only
got
an
imposition
,
'
interrupted
Norman
.
'
No
,
it
is
not
that
—
it
is
myself
,
—
'
and
it
was
only
with
a
gulp
and
struggle
that
he
brought
out
the
words
,
'
I
am
turned
down
in
the
school
.
'
The
Doctor
started
back
a
step
or
two
,
aghast
.
'
What
—
how
—
speak
,
Norman
.
What
have
you
done
?
'
'
Nothing
!
'
said
Norman
,
recovering
,
in
the
desire
to
re-assure
his
father
,
'
nothing
!
'
'
That
's
right
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
breathing
freely
,
'
What
's
the
meaning
of
it
...
a
misunderstanding
?
'
'
Yes
,
'
said
Norman
,
with
bitterness
.
'
It
is
all
Anderson
's
doing
—
a
word
from
him
would
have
set
all
straight
—
but
he
would
not
—
I
believe
,
from
my
heart
,
he
held
his
tongue
to
get
me
down
,
that
he
might
have
the
Randall
!
'
'
We
'll
see
you
righted
,
'
said
the
Doctor
,
eagerly
.
'
Come
,
tell
me
the
whole
story
,
Norman
.
Is
it
about
this
unlucky
business
?
'
'
Yes
.
The
town-fellows
were
all
up
about
it
last
evening
,
when
we
came
out
of
school
.
Anderson
senior
himself
began
to
put
them
up
to
having
the
fence
down
again
.
Yes
,
that
he
did
—
I
remember
his
very
words
—
that
Tomkins
could
not
bring
it
into
Court
,
and
so
set
old
Hoxton
at
us
.
Well
,
I
told
them
it
would
not
do
,
—
thought
I
had
settled
them
—
saw
them
off
home
—
yes
,
Simpson
,
and
Benson
,
and
Grey
,
up
the
High
Street
,
and
the
others
their
way
.
I
only
left
Axworthy
going
into
a
shop
when
I
set
off
on
my
walk
.
What
could
a
fellow
do
more
?
How
was
I
to
know
that
that
Axworthy
would
get
them
together
again
,
and
take
them
to
this
affair
—
pull
up
the
stakes
—
saw
them
down
—
for
they
were
hard
to
get
down
—
shy
all
sorts
of
things
over
into
the
court
—
hoot
at
old
Tomkins
's
man
,
when
he
told
them
to
be
off
—
and
make
a
bonfire
of
the
sticks
at
last
?
'
'
And
Harvey
Anderson
was
there
?
'
'
No
—
not
he
.
He
is
too
sharp
—
born
and
bred
attorney
as
he
is
—
he
talked
them
up
to
the
mischief
when
my
back
was
turned
,
and
then
sneaked
quietly
home
,
quite
innocent
,
and
out
of
the
scrape
.
'
'
But
Doctor
Hoxton
can
never
entertain
a
suspicion
that
you
had
anything
to
do
with
it
.
'
'
Yes
,
he
does
though
.
He
thinks
I
incited
them
,
and
Tomkins
and
the
policeman
declare
I
was
there
in
the
midst
of
the
row
—
and
not
one
of
these
fellows
will
explain
how
I
came
at
the
last
to
look
for
Tom
.
'
'
Not
Tom
himself
?
—
'
'
He
did
try
to
speak
,
poor
little
fellow
,
but
,
after
the
other
affair
,
his
word
goes
for
nothing
,
and
so
,
it
seems
,
does
mine
.
I
did
think
Hoxton
would
have
trusted
me
!
'
'
And
did
not
he
?
'
exclaimed
Dr.
May
.
'
He
did
not
in
so
many
words
accuse
me
of
—
of
—
but
he
told
me
he
had
serious
charges
brought
against
me
—
Mr.
Harrison
had
seen
me
at
Ballhatchet
's
,
setting
an
example
of
disregard
to
rules
—
and
,
again
,
Mr.
Harrison
saw
me
coming
in
at
a
late
hour
last
night
.
"
I
know
he
did
,
"
I
said
,
and
I
explained
where
I
had
been
,
and
they
asked
for
proofs
!
I
could
hardly
answer
,
from
surprise
,
at
their
not
seeming
to
believe
me
,
but
I
said
you
could
answer
for
my
having
come
in
with
the
flowers
for
my
sister
.
'
'
To
be
sure
I
will
—
I
'll
go
this
instant
—
'
he
was
turning
.
'
It
is
of
no
use
,
papa
,
to-night
;
Dr.
Hoxton
has
a
dinner-party
.
'
'
He
is
always
having
parties
.
I
wish
he
would
mind
them
less
,
and
his
business
more
.
You
disbelieved
!
but
I
'll
see
justice
done
you
,
Norman
,
the
first
thing
to-morrow
.
Well
—
'
'
Well
then
,
I
said
,
old
Ballhatchet
could
tell
that
I
crossed
the
bridge
at
the
very
time
they
were
doing
this
pretty
piece
of
work
,
for
he
was
sitting
smoking
in
his
porch
when
I
went
home
,
and
,
would
you
believe
it
?
the
old
rascal
would
not
remember
who
passed
that
evening
!
It
is
all
his
malice
and
revenge
—
nothing
else
!
'
'
Why
—
what
have
you
been
doing
to
him
?
'
Norman
shortly
explained
the
ginger-beer
story
,
and
adding
,
'
Cheviot
told
me
I
should
get
nothing
but
ill-will
,
and
so
I
have
—
all
those
town
fellows
turn
against
me
now
,
and
though
they
know
as
well
as
possible
how
it
was
,
they
wo
n't
say
a
word
to
right
me
,
just
out
of
spite
,
because
I
have
stopped
them
from
all
the
mischief
I
could
!
'
Well
,
then
—
'
'
They
asked
me
whether
—
since
I
allowed
that
I
had
been
there
at
last
—
I
had
dispersed
the
boys
.
I
said
no
,
I
had
no
time
.
Then
they
desired
to
know
who
was
there
,
and
that
I
had
not
seen
;
it
was
all
dark
,
and
there
had
not
been
a
moment
,
and
if
I
guessed
,
it
was
no
affair
of
mine
to
say
.
So
they
ordered
me
down
,
and
had
up
Ned
Anderson
,
and
one
or
two
more
who
were
known
to
have
been
in
the
riot
,
and
then
they
consulted
a
good
while
,
and
sent
for
me
;
Mr.
Wilmot
was
for
me
,
I
am
sure
,
but
Harrison
was
against
me
.
Doctor
Hoxton
sat
there
,
and
made
me
one
of
his
addresses
.
He
said
he
would
not
enter
on
the
question
whether
I
had
been
present
at
the
repetition
of
the
outrage
,
as
he
called
it
,
but
what
was
quite
certain
was
,
that
I
had
abused
my
authority
and
influence
in
the
school
;
I
had
been
setting
a
bad
example
,
and
breaking
the
rules
about
Ballhatchet
,
and
so
far
from
repressing
mischief
,
I
had
been
the
foremost
in
it
,
making
inflammatory
harangues
,
leading
them
to
commit
violence
the
first
time
,
and
the
next
,
if
not
actually
taking
part
in
it
personally
,
at
any
rate
,
not
preventing
it
.
In
short
,
he
said
it
was
clear
I
had
not
weight
enough
for
my
post
—
it
was
some
excuse
I
had
been
raised
to
it
so
young
—
but
it
was
necessary
to
show
that
proficiency
in
studies
did
not
compensate
for
disregard
of
discipline
,
and
so
he
turned
me
down
below
the
first
six
!
So
there
's
another
May
in
disgrace
!
'
'
It
shall
not
last
—
it
shall
not
last
,
my
boy
,
'
said
Dr.
May
,
pressing
Norman
's
arm
;
'
I
'll
see
you
righted
.
Dr.
Hoxton
shall
hear
the
whole
story
.
I
am
not
for
fathers
interfering
in
general
,
but
if
ever
there
was
a
case
,
this
is
!
Why
,
it
is
almost
actionable
—
injuring
your
whole
prospects
in
life
,
and
all
because
he
will
not
take
the
trouble
to
make
an
investigation
!
It
is
a
crying
shame
.
'
'
Every
fellow
in
the
school
knows
how
it
was
,
'
said
Norman
;
'
and
plenty
of
them
would
be
glad
to
tell
,
if
they
had
only
the
opportunity
;
but
he
asked
no
one
but
those
two
or
three
worst
fellows
that
were
at
the
fire
,
and
they
would
not
tell
,
on
purpose
.
The
school
will
go
to
destruction
now
—
they
'll
get
their
way
,
and
all
I
have
been
striving
for
is
utterly
undone
.
'
'
You
setting
a
bad
example
!
Dr.
Hoxton
little
knows
what
you
have
been
doing
.
It
is
a
mockery
,
as
I
have
always
said
,
to
see
that
old
fellow
sit
wrapped
up
in
his
pomposity
,
eating
his
good
dinners
,
and
knowing
no
more
what
goes
on
among
his
boys
than
this
umbrella
!
But
he
will
listen
to
me
—
and
we
'll
make
those
boys
confess
the
whole
—
aye
,
and
have
up
Ballhatchet
himself
,
to
say
what
your
traffic
with
him
was
;
and
we
will
see
what
old
Hoxton
says
to
you
then
,
Norman
.
'
Dr.
May
and
his
son
felt
keenly
and
spoke
strongly
.
There
was
so
much
of
sympathy
and
fellow-feeling
between
them
,
that
there
was
no
backwardness
on
Norman
's
part
in
telling
his
whole
trouble
,
with
more
confidence
than
school-boys
often
show
towards
their
fathers
,
and
Dr.
May
entered
into
the
mortification
as
if
he
were
still
at
school
.
They
did
not
go
into
the
house
,
but
walked
long
up
and
down
the
garden
,
working
themselves
up
into
,
if
possible
,
stronger
indignation
,
and
concerting
the
explanation
for
to-morrow
,
when
Dr.
May
meant
to
go
at
once
to
the
head
master
,
and
make
him
attend
to
the
true
version
of
the
story
,
appealing
to
Harvey
Anderson
himself
,
Larkins
,
and
many
others
,
for
witnesses
.
There
could
be
hardly
a
doubt
that
Norman
would
be
thus
exculpated
;
but
,
if
Dr.
Hoxton
would
not
see
things
in
their
true
light
,
Dr.
May
was
ready
to
take
him
away
