“Yes, sir,” said Duncan, humbly.
“You understand that if your absence is discovered and the fact brought before the faculty, I cannot say a word in your defence?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now I want you to promise, and promise honestly, that for the rest of the year you will try to keep well within the school rules.”
“I will, sir.”
“Good!” Dr. Leighton held out his hand, and turned to go. At the door he spoke again. “One more word of advice—as a friend. You have the advantage over Mr. Alsop in this Boston affair. Use it to come to a better understanding with him, and not to annoy him. Remember that there is a very weak spot in your own armor.”
When the teacher was gone, the two boys remained for a time in silence. Duncan’s malicious joy in the prospect of Mr. Alsop’s humiliation had given place to a serious mood. “Leighton’s a square man!” he said at length. “You’d do right for a man like him when you’d rather do wrong; while as for Alsop, why, you’d do wrong for him when you’d rather do right, just to spite him.” And therein Duncan Peck showed a knowledge of the essential traits of an inspiring teacher which is rarely possessed by school trustees.
Later in the day Mr. Alsop came to apologize for his error, and the interview left a pleasant impression with both participants. Duncan had special reason to be satisfied with it, as the instructor, to make amends for his false accusation, removed the annoying probation. Through Dr. Leighton’s influence the special committee made no report to the faculty, and Mr. Alsop was spared the pain of an official verdict on his blunder.