"Aye, and cracked neighbour Hodge's, and neighbour Smith's as well, 'ee have," interrupted the man, "besides frightening Master Sparrow's good 'ooman, who has been that ill for a month as nothing was like afore."
"I am sorry, sir," said the doctor, addressing the man, "that any of my pupils should have been guilty of such a thoughtless action; tell your friends from me that they shall be amply compensated, while the boys themselves shall be duly punished."
When the visitors had departed, the doctor said, "Ross, and Lynch, do you know why rules are made? Do you think they are made to be broken or kept? Your conduct last evening fully answers the question; and as you have thought proper to break one, that of being absent from school after the proper hours, you must also bear the consequences; recollect no wrong can be done without punishment following it; you will, therefore, each of you confine yourself to the school grounds for one month, and bring me twenty lines each day; besides which, you will have to make good the damage you committed. Boys, to your lessons."
"This is more than I bargained for," said Lynch, making a wry face to Leslie.
"Or I either," replied Leslie, returning the grimace.
"Fancy a whole month!"
"Bad as being in prison."
"I wish we had kept in, now," sighed Lynch.
"Yes, so do I, but it can't be helped."