ad been at prayers in the morning,
flogs them soundly.

The flogging did them no good at the time, for the injustice of their
captor was rankling in their minds; but it was just at the end of the
half, and on the next evening but one Thomas knocks at their door, and
says the Doctor wants to see them. They look at one another in silent
dismay. What can it be now? Which of their countless wrong-doings can he
have heard of officially? However, it is no use delaying, so up they go
to the study. There they find the Doctor not angry, but very grave. "He
has sent for them to speak very seriously before they go home. They have
each been flogged several times in the half-year for direct and wilful
breaches of rules. This cannot go on. They are doing no good to
themselves or others, and now they are getting up in the School, and
have influence. They seem to think that rules are made capriciously, and
for the pleasure of the masters; but this is not so, they are made for
the good of the whole School, and must and shall be obeyed. Those who
thoughtlessly or wilfully break them will not be allowed to stay at the
School. He should be sorry if they had to leave, as the School might do
them both much good, and wishes them to think very seriously in the
holidays over what he has said. Good night."

And so the two hurry off horribly scared: the idea of having to leave
has never crossed their minds, and is quite unbearable.

As they go out, they meet at the door old Holmes, a sturdy cheery
praepostor of another house, who goes in to the Doctor; and they hear his
genial hearty greeting of the new-comer, so different to their own
reception, as the door closes, and return to their study with heavy
hearts, and tremendous resolves to break no more rules.

Five minutes afterwards the master of their form, a late arrival and a
model young master, knocks at the Doctor's study-door. "Come in!" and as
he enters the Doctor goes on, to Holmes--"you see I do not know anything
of the case officially, and if I take any notice of it at all, I must
publicly expel the boy. I don't wish to do that, for I think there is
some good in him. There's nothing for it but a good sound thrashing." He
paused to shake hands with the master, which Holmes does also, and then
prepares to leave.

"I understand. Good night, sir."

"Good night, Holmes. And remember," added the Doctor, emphasizing the
words, "a good sound thrashing before the whole house."

The door c