The crime was so unusual, the idea so whimsical, that the abbé made me repeat the accusation twice over; then, turning to his pupils, he said:
"Go upstairs, gentlemen; we will go into this matter there."
"Ah! you brat! ah! you tell-tale! ah! you traitor!" a dozen lads whispered to me; "you wait a bit,—we'll see when school is over—!"
The abbé turned round.
All were silent, and they entered the classroom.
Each boy took his place, but I, who had not one, remained standing.
"Come here, my young friend," said the abbé.
"Here I am, M. l'abbé," I said, whimpering.
He felt me.