“Why, I thought you an obedient boy! I never fancied you would set yourself up in defiance of me.”
“You do not understand, professor; I am doing what I firmly believe is for the best.”
Zenas wrung his hands.
“If we ever get out of this mess,” he declared, “I’m going to take you back home just as fast as possible.”
“All right; but that is something to be considered later.”
“You should be there. You should be in school at Fardale this day.”
“You forget that I was expelled, professor.”
“By that old dunkhead, Gooch! Wait till we get home. I’m going to have a little session with Barnaby Gooch, and also with Chester Arlington. Your turn is coming, Richard—that is if you do not throw your life away in some reckless folly. Do be cautious, Richard! Listen to me!”
Dick did his best to reassure the old man, but Zenas clutched his arm and attempted to cling to him, still urging and entreating.
Swiftly the boy released the fingers of the old pedagogue.