of the circumstances. No one knew where he might be lying in wait, and
from what quarter he might suddenly appear; and it was wonderful with
what docility the boys began to work under the mild and beneficent reign
of Mr. Byles, who had not at that time joined with the Dowbiggins in the
unlawful pursuit of game. As the forenoon wore on there was certainly
some curiosity, and Nestie was questioned as to Bulldog's whereabouts;
but it was understood to be a point of honour with Nestie, as a member
of his household, to give no information about Bulldog's movements, and
so the school were none the wiser. There was some wild talk during the
hour, and a dozen stories were afloat by afternoon. Next morning it was
boldly said that Bulldog was ill, and some, who did not know what truth
was, asserted that he was in bed, and challenged Nestie to deny the
slander. That ingenious young gentleman replied vaguely but politely,
and veiled the whole situation in such a mist of irrelevant detail that
the school went in for the second day to the class-room rejoicing with
trembling, and not at all sure whether Bulldog might not arrive in a
carriage and pair, possibly with a large comforter round his throat, but
otherwise full of spirits and perfectly fit for duty. It was only after
the twelve o'clock break and a searching cross-examination of Nestie
that the school could believe in the goodness of Providence, and felt
like the Children of Israel on the other bank of the Red Sea. Some were
for celebrating their independence in the North Meadow and treating Mr.
Byles with absolute contempt; but there were others who judged with some
acuteness that they could have the North Meadow any day, but they might
never again have a full hour in the mathematical class-room without
Bulldog. There seemed a certain fitness in holding the celebration amid
the scenes of labour and discipline, and the mathematical class went in
to wait on Mr. Byles's instruction in high spirits and without one
missing. It is true that the Dowbiggins showed for the first time some
reluctance in attending to their studies, but it was pointed out to them
in a very firm and persuasive way by Speug that it would be disgraceful
for them to be absent when Bulldog was ill, and that the class could not
allow such an act of treachery. Speug was so full of honest feeling that
he saw Thomas John safely within the door, and, since he threatened an
unreasonable delay, assisted him across the