Before the teacher had recovered from his surprise Keith was outside the door and on his way home.
He didn't know afterwards how he got there, but he could remember saying to himself over and over again:
"I didn't cry and I didn't want to cry!"
XX
He told his mother truthfully what had happened and declared in conclusion that he would never go back to school again.
She was furious with the teacher and thought that on the whole, it would be safer for Keith to stay away during the few weeks remaining of the term.
"That man should be punished," she cried repeatedly. "You did just right."
But the father spoke in another tone when he, in his turn, had heard the tale of that eventful day.
"You will go to school tomorrow as usual," he said in his sternest voice. "You had no right to refuse to pick up the book, and you had no right to leave the school without permission."