desk in stern state: the other masters were in their places. "What is
the meaning of this insubordination?" the master sharply demanded,
addressing Gaunt. "You are three-quarters of an hour behind your time."

"We have been up to the judges, as usual, for holiday, sir," replied
Gaunt, in a tone of deprecation. "His lordship sends his card and
compliments to you, and--"

"Holiday!" interrupted the master. "Holiday!" he repeated, with
emphasis, as if disbelieving his own ears. "Do you consider that the
school deserves it? A pretty senior you must be, if you do."

"What has the school done, sir?" respectfully asked Gaunt.

"Your memory must be conveniently short," chafed the master. "Have you
forgotten the inked surplice?"

Gaunt paused. "But that was not the act of the whole school, sir. It
was probably the act of only one."

"But, so long as that one does not confess, the whole school must bear
it," returned the master, looking round on the assembly. "Boys,
understand me. It is not for the fault itself--that may have been, as I
said yesterday, the result of accident; but it is the concealment of
the fault that makes me angry. Will you confess now?--he who did it?"

No; the appeal brought forth no further result than the other had done.
The master continued:

"You may think--I speak now to the guilty boy, and let him take these