I must, at least, protect the lives of my children. Every week I
have had some complaint against your son; (sic) bnt I didn't wish to
have a difficulty, and so said nothing about it. But this is going a
little too far. He must have a dreadful temper."

"There is something very perverse about him," remarked Mr. Howland,
sadly. "Ah, me! What am I to do?"

"There may have been some slight provocation," said the man, a
little modified by the manner in which his complaint was received,
and departing from his first assertion.

"Nothing to justify an assault like this," replied Mr. Howland with
promptness. "Nothing! Nothing! The boy will be the death of me."

"Caution him, if you please, Mr. Howland, against a repetition of
such dangerous conduct. The result might be deplorable."

"I will do something more than caution him, you may be sure," was
answered, and, as he spoke, the lips of Mr. Howland were drawn
tightly across his teeth.

The man went away, and Mr. Howland dispatched a messenger to the
school for Andrew immediately, and then started for home. He had
been there only a little while, when the boy came in with a
frightened look. To his father's eyes conscious guilt was in his
countenance.

"Go up stairs, sir!" was the stern salutation that met the lad's
ears.