“Little L nodded silently; his feelings were entirely with those who were censuring his brother. The cadet reflected a moment, then he turned to the others.
“‘I make a proposition,’ said he; ‘and if it be accepted we will not disgrace L No. I for life. We will prove on his body whether he has any honorable feelings left. L No. I. himself shall choose whether he wishes us to report him or whether we shall keep the matter to ourselves cudgel him thoroughly for it, and then let the affair be buried.’
“That was an admirable way out. All agreed eagerly.
“The cadet laid his hand on Little L’s shoulder. ‘Go along, then,’ said he, ‘and call your brother here.’
“Little L dried his tears and nodded his head quickly—then he was out of the door and a moment after was back again, bringing his brother with him.
“Big L ventured to look at no one; like an ox that has been felled on the forehead, he stood before his comrades. Little L stood behind him, and never once did his eyes leave his brother’s slightest movement.
“The cadet who had made the foregoing proposition began the trial of L No. I.
“‘Does he admit that he took the belt?’
“‘He admits it.’
“‘Does he feel that he has done something that has made him absolutely unworthy of being a cadet any longer?’