Collingwood, sitting directly under the clock, and facing so many
curious questioning eyes, turned red; Westby, standing by the door,
looked at him and smiled. At the same time, Dr. Davenport, closing the
report-book, leaned towards Irving and said quietly in his ear,—

“Mr. Upton, I should like to see you about those last two
reports—immediately after this study hour.”

Irving reddened; the rector’s manner was not approving.

Dr. Davenport descended from the platform and walked slowly down the
aisle. As he approached, he looked straight at Westby; and Westby
returned the look steadily—as if he was ashamed of nothing.

The rector passed through the doorway; the Sixth Form followed; the
day’s work began.




CHAPTER V

MASTER TURNS PUPIL


The rector received Irving with a smile. “Well,” he said, “I think you
must be a believer in the maxim, ‘Hit hard and hit first.’ Would you
mind telling me what was the trouble?”

“It wasn’t so much any one thing,” replied Irving. “It was a culmination