“Sit down, or I’ll make you!” stormed Josiah Crabtree, and leaving his desk he strode down the aisle with his ruler brandished over his head.
It was a critical moment—one of the most critical Putnam Hall had ever seen—and many of the cadets present held their breath. Some expected to see Jack drop into his seat, but the young major did nothing of the kind. He stood in a soldierly attitude and looked the angry teacher full in the eyes.
“Will you sit down or not?” demanded Josiah Crabtree, as he came to a halt in front of the pupil.
“Will you listen to me, or not, Mr. Crabtree?” asked Jack. “If you won’t, I have nothing more to say, here. But I’ll report the matter to Captain Putnam when he returns.”
“Good! That’s the talk!” came from several others.
“Crabtree made the mistake and he is afraid to acknowledge it,” said one cadet.
“Boys, will you be silent?” yelled the teacher. “This is—er—outrageous! I never saw such actions in a schoolroom before! Am I in authority here, or am I not?”
“You are—not!” squeaked a voice from the rear.
“Walk out in the air and forget to return,” added another voice.
“Take a vacation until Captain Putnam gets back,” suggested a third.