, and levelled
it with the ground. A handkerchief was fastened to the top of one of the
stakes, and waved over the brewhouse wall, and some of the boys were
for picking up stones and dirt, and launching them over, in hopes of
spoiling the beer; but Norman put a stop to this, and brought them back
to the school-yard, still in a noisy state of exultation.

It cooled a little by-and-by under the doubt how their exploit would be
taken. At home, Norman found it already known, and his father half glad,
half vexed, enjoying the victory over Tomkins, yet a little uneasy on
his son's behalf. "What will Dr. Hoxton say to the dux?" said he. "I
didn't know he was to be dux in mischief as well as out of it."

"You can't call it mischief, papa, to resent an unwarranted encroachment
of our rights by such an old ruffian as that. One's blood is up to think
of the things he has done!"

"He richly deserves it, no doubt," said the doctor, "and yet I wish you
had been out of the row. If there is any blame, you will be the first it
will light on."

"I am glad of it, that is but just. Anderson and I seem to have stirred
it up--if it wanted stirring--for it was in every fellow there; indeed,
I had no notion it was coming to this when I began."

"Oratory," said the doctor, smiling. "Ha, Norman! Think a little another
time, my boy, before you take the law into your own hands, or, what is
worse, into a lot of hands you can't control for good, though you may
excite them to harm."

Dr. Hoxton did not come into school at the usual hour, and, in the
course of the morning, sent for May senior, to speak to him in his
study.

He looked very broad, awful, and dignified, as he informed him that Mr.
Tomkins had just been with him to complain of the damage that had been
done, and he appeared extremely displeased that the dux should have been
no check on such proceedings.

"I am sorry, sir," said Norman, "but I believe it was the general
feeling that he had no right to stop the alley, and, therefore, that it
could not be wrong to break it down."

"Whether he has a right or not is not a question to be settled by you.
So I find that you, whose proper office it is to keep order, have been
inflaming the mischievous and aggressive spirit amongst the others. I am
surprised at you; I thought you were more to be depended upon, May, in
your position."

Norman coloured a good deal, and simply answered? "I am sorry, sir."

"Take care, then, that nothing o