Dove. When we were all busy, about ten o'clock, I was amazed to hear my
father's voice. He stood before the desk, and addressed Master Dove in a
loud voice, meaning, I suppose, to be heard by all of us.

"David Dove," he said, "my son hath been guilty of disrespect to thee, and
to thy office. I do not say he has lied, for it is my belief that thou art
truly an unjust and cruel beast. As for his sin, he has suffered enough [I
felt glad of this final opinion]; but a bargain was made. He, on his part,
for a consideration of one pound sterling, was to tell thee who wrote
certain words. He has paid thee and thou hast taken interest out of his
skin. Indeed, Friend Shylock, I think he weighs less by a pound. Thou wilt
give him his pound, Master David."

Upon this a little maid near by smiled at me, and Warder punched me in the
ribs. Master Dove was silent a moment, and then answered that there was no
law to make him pay, and that he had spoken lightly, as one might say, "I
would give this or that to know." But my father replied at once:

"The boy trusted thee, and was as good as his word. I advise thee to pay.
As thou art Master to punish boys, so will I, David, use thy birch on thee
at need, and trust to the great Master to reckon with me if I am wrong."

All this he said so fiercely that I trembled with joy, and hoped that Dove
would deny him; but, in place of this, he muttered something about Meeting
and Friends, and meanwhile searched his pockets and brought out a guinea.
This my father dropped into his breeches pocket, saying, "The shilling will
be for interest" (a guinea being a shilling over a king's pound). After
this, turning to me, he said, "Come with me, Hugh," and went out of the
school-house, I following after, very well pleased, and thinking of my
guinea. I dared not ask for it, and I think he forgot it. He went along