“I am surprised at you, Parker, doing such a thing. You ought to set the boys a good example, as you help me with them. It is the first time you have ever done such a silly thing, so I will say no more this time, but I shall keep your batteries for the rest of this month. I think that will be quite punishment enough.”
Mr. Harmer took away both the batteries, and the coil as well, while Walter and Steve slunk away, feeling very small at the failure of their little joke.
“Walter,” said Steve, “what will Mr. Cottenham say to-night if you tell him that you have not brought your batteries?”
“I had forgotten that,” replied Walter.
“Let’s ask Mr. Harmer just to give them back to us for this once; perhaps he will,” suggested Steve.
“I know he won’t,” replied Walter. “Whatever he says he always sticks to, so it would not be any good.”
Walter was quite right in his opinion of Mr. Harmer, as he was a man who did stick to what he said. If he said a boy should do an imposition, all the tears and entreaties in the world would not move him.
After the roll-call Mr. Harmer set the boys their lessons, and then called Alfred up to him.
“Davidson,” he said, “come here.”
Alfred left his seat and went up to the master.