"First period recitations, now," announced the principal.

Clang! At stroke of the bell there was a hurried clutching of
books and notebooks. The students filed down the aisles, going
quickly to their proper sections, which formed in the hall outside.
The tramp of feet resounded through the building, for some recitation
rooms were on the first floor, some on the second and some on
the third.

Two minutes later there was quiet in the great building. Recitation
room doors were closed. One passing through the corridors would
have heard only the indistinct murmur of voices from the different
rooms. Within five minutes every one of the instructors detected
the fact that, though discipline was as good as ever, Dr. Thornton's
words had spoiled the morning's recitations. Try as they would,
the young men could not fasten their minds on the work on hand.
The hint that athletics might be stopped had _stung_.

Dick & Co. were all sitting in IV. English.

"Mr. Prescott," directed Submaster Morton, "define the principle
of suspense, as employed in writing."

Dick started, looked bewildered, then rose.

"It's---it's-----" he began.

"A little more rapidly, if you please."