ket, and uttered in a solemn tone,
"_Tempus est ludendi_." As this Latin phrase was used every day at the
same hour, every boy in the school understood so much Latin. A rush
from all the desks ensured, and amidst shouting, yelling, and leaping
every soul disappeared except myself, who remained fixed to my form.
The Dominie rose from his pulpit and descended, the usher did the same,
and both approached me on their way to their respective apartments.

"Jacob Faithful, why still porest thou over thy book--didst thou not
understand that the hours of recreation had arrived? Why risest thou
not upon thy feet like the others?"

"'Cause I've got no shoes."

"And where are thy shoes, Jacob?"

"One's in your pocket," replied I "and t'other's in his'n."

Each party placed their hands behind, and felt the truth of the
assertion.

"Expound, Jacob," said the Dominie, "who hath done this?"

"The big boy with the red hair, and a face picked all over with holes
like the strainers in master's kitchen," replied I.

"Mr Knapps, it would be _infra dig_ on my part, and also on yours, to
suffer this disrespect to pass unnoticed. Ring in the boys."

The boys were rung in, and I was desired to point out the offender,
which I immediately did, and who as stoutly denied the offence; but he
had abstracted my shoe-strings, and put them into his own shoes. I
recognised them and it was sufficient.

"Barnaby Bracegirdle," said the Dominie, "thou art convicted, not only
of disrespect towards me and Mr Knapps, but further of the grievous sin
of lying. Simon Swapps, let him be hoisted."

He was hoisted: his nether garments descended, and then the birch
descend with all the vigour of the Dominie's muscular arm. Barnaby
Bracegirdle showed every symptom of his disapproval of the measures
taken; but Simon Swapps held fast, and the Dominie flogged fast. After
a minute's flagellation, Barnaby was let down, his yellow tights pulled
up, and the boys dismissed. Barnaby's face was red, but the antipodes
were redder. The Dominie departed, leaving us together,--he adjusting
his inexpressibles, I putting in my shoe-strings. By the time Barnaby
had buttoned up and wiped his eyes, I had succeeded in standing in my
shoes. There we were _tete-a-tete_.

"Now, then," said Barnaby, holding one fist to my face, while, with the
other open hand he rubbed behind, "come out in the play-ground, Mr
_Cinderella_, and see if I won't drub you within an inch o