and
open the window, but, as my feet touched the floor, memory began to come
back with its heavy load of misery.

Why was I dressed even to my boots? Why was I in a fresh room? Where
was Tom Mercer?

The answers to my questions came, and I stood there with a sinking
sensation of misery, increasing moment by moment, till with a sigh I
roused myself a little and went toward the window.

"Where is Tom Mercer?" I said to myself again, with a bitter laugh.
"Safe, and I am to take the blame for his miserable acts. Where's Tom
Mercer?"

I was opening the window as I spoke, and there he was hiding behind a
clump of Portugal laurel, where he had been watching, quite ready to
spring up eagerly now, and begin to make signs, as he showed me a school
bag with something heavy inside.

I knew what it meant, of course, but the bitter feeling against him was
too intense for me to accept aid in any form, and I drew back without
noticing him further; and, as I did so, my head felt clearer for my
night's rest, and I began to see the course that was open to me.

I could not turn upon Tom and become his accuser, for, if the crime was
brought home to him, it would be terrible, and I knew I should never
forgive myself for saving my own credit by denouncing my companion. No;
I had fully made up my mind, in those few minutes since rising, to deny
firmly and defiantly the charge of taking the watch. Even if they
expelled me, and I was sent away, they might call it in disgrace, but it
would not be. And even if Doctor Browne and the masters believed me
guilty, I knew there was some one at home who would take my word at
once, indignant at such a charge being brought against me.

Yes, that was my course, plain enough: to maintain my innocence firmly,
but to say no more. They might find out about Tom Mercer. I would not
betray him.

A stubborn feeling of determination came over me now, and all seemed to
be as plain as could be. I was actually beginning to wonder that I
should have taken it all so much to heart. "She will believe me," I
said; "and they will have to at last."

I had just arrived at this point in reasoning out my position, when I
was brought to a sudden check by a fresh thought--one which made me turn
cold. It was, "What will uncle say?"

I was thrown back into a state of the greatest misery again directly by
this. For my uncle was so stern a disciplinarian that in advance I saw
with horror the impression such a