Like other things punishment fails when administered in excess. There
was no disgrace whatever in what was common to all, for although
some of the boys of superior ability and perseverance would escape
with a smaller amount of punishment than their fellows, none could
hope to escape altogether. Thus it was only the pain that they had
to bear, and even this became to some extent deadened by repetition,
and was forgotten as soon as inflicted, save when a sudden movement
caused a sharp pain in back or leg. Once in the playground their
spirits revived, and except a few whose recent punishment incapacitated
them for a time from active exercise, the whole were soon intent
upon their games.

One only of the party wore his cap, and he after a few minutes left
the others, and went toward a door which led from the playground
into the road.

"Don't be long, Sankey; come back as soon as you can, you know we
agreed to go fishing this afternoon."

"All right, Tompkins; I will come back directly I have done my
dinner. I expect I shall have finished quite as soon as you will."

Edward Sankey, who was regarded with envy by his schoolfellows,
was the only home boarder at Hathorn's; for, as a general thing,
the master set his face against the introduction of home boarders.
They were, he considered, an element of disturbance; they carry
tales to and from the school; they cause discontent among the
other boys, and their parents are in the habit of protesting and
interfering. Not, indeed, that parents in those days considered it