“Joshua and Lester Cole, why are you tardy?”
Neither brother volunteered an explanation.
“This has been occurring altogether too frequently of late,” went on the stern voice of old Silvanus. “Speak out, Joshua!”
Joshua parted his lips.
“Stand up, sir!” came from the rostrum.
Grinning in embarrassment, the older brother took his stand.
“It was my fault, Mr. Madmallet,” he confessed. “Lester, he wasn’t to blame. I kep’ him.”
“Oh, you kept him!” The principal’s tones were sarcastic. “And did you find it hard to do?”
“No, sir. That is—yes, sir. He—he didn’t want to stay.”
“That’s a falsehood, Joshua Cole,” said Madmallet in calm, assured tones. “This is not the first time you have tried to shield your brother. He has been tardy repeatedly. Your brotherly love may perhaps be commendatory, but this time it will not prevent your brother from being punished.”