“We’ll have no lessons here until this is settled!” cried Josiah Crabtree. “Call the next pupil.”
“Blossom! What have you to say for yourself?” asked Cuddle.
“I have nothing to say, sir,” replied the first lieutenant of Company A, in the same tone of voice employed by those who had answered before him.
“This is—a conspiracy!” gasped Pluxton Cuddle.
“I told you how it was!” cried Josiah Crabtree. “I think the best thing I can do is to give each pupil present ten lashes with this cat.” And he shook the cat-o’-nine tails in the boys’ faces.
“Mr. Crabtree!” called out Jack, rising. “As major of the school battalion I feel it my duty to speak out. I think the boys would like me to be their spokesman.”
“Yes! yes!” was the cry from all sides.
“Tell him we won’t stand for a licking,” said one boy in the rear.
“Silence!” cried the two teachers simultaneously.
“We want justice!” came from the middle of the room.