ver beyond its
reach.

The reflection so maddened me that, as I was unable at the time to give
vent to my anger, my face flushed up as it always did when I was so
roused by my temper getting the better of me; and I dare say I looked
like a bellicose young turkey-cock.

My schoolmaster took advantage of the opportunity to "improve the
occasion."

"Ah, I see," he went on, "your aunt was quite right in her estimate of
your disposition; but, my dear excitable young friend, I must--ah--give
you fair warning that if you feel inclined to be rude at any time, you'd
better not be rude here, and if you are bold--ah--you'll get bowled out!
Ah--that was an unintentional pun, Leigh, but I don't think you'll find
me joking when I have to come to the point. Mind, I never flog a boy
under any circumstances, but I've got an equally efficacious way of my
own for making my pupils obey me, which never fails, and you'll probably
have an early chance of getting familiar with it! Oh no, I never flog,
but I've a way of my own, Master Leigh, a way of my own--ah!"

The infinite relish and gusto with which he repeated these last words of
his are utterly indescribable; while the grin that overspread his fat
countenance, wrinkling up its fleshy folds, can only be compared to the
expression one sees carved out on those hideous gargoyles with which the
architects of former days decorated the odd corners of our cathedrals.

I couldn't help shivering in my shoes; and Dr Hellyer, noticing this,
evidently thought that he had made sufficient impression for a start,
for, dropping his terrible, rolling, ponderous voice, he spoke to me
more amiably.

"Now, leave your box here and it shall be taken up presently to the
dormitory. Come along with me and I'll introduce you--ah--to your
schoolfellows."

To hear was to obey; so, deserting my hitherto keenly-watched little
property with many misgivings as to the chances of my ever setting eyes
on it again, I followed Dr Hellyer out of the room and along a narrow
passage that led directly to the back of the house. Throwing open a
door at the further end, a flight of short stone steps was disclosed,
descending to a wide yard or garden--that is, if one solitary tree in a
remote corner supplied sufficient vegetation to give the place such a
name--where I could see a lot of boys of all ages and sizes jumping
about and otherwise diverting themselves.

"Ah--this is our--ah--playground, Leigh," explained the