“Look out! Shop, you’re wanted!” said Poll, who flew on to its master’s shoulder, and rubbed its head against him. “Good-bye!” shrieked the bird, as Mr. Cottenham left the room with it.
Quiet and attention having been restored, the dean proceeded to test the class, each boy in turn having to stand up and answer a number of questions on various subjects. If a boy appeared nervous, he was told to sit down again, and was examined later on. Alfred did very well, and so did his friends; not so Cox, who was severely reproved for his idleness and ignorance. King did well, for he was in some subjects at the head of the school.
When Mr. Harmer returned, the dean said that he was much pleased with the boys on the whole, but a few had done badly, and he named Cox in particular.
“As you have done so well, boys,” said the dean, “except those three I have named, I shall ask Mr. Harmer to excuse you any more work to-day.”
“Thank you, sir,” said most of the boys.
The dean left the school-room, and Mr. Harmer took his usual place.
“As the dean has given you a holiday,” he said, “I shall let you all go at once, except those he has named.”
Away the boys ran, leaving their unfortunate, or perhaps it should be said their idle, school-fellows to receive extra work for the rest of the term.
Walter, Steve, and Alfred called on their way home to see that Mr. Cottenham’s parrot was all right, and found it as talkative as ever, being none the worse for the dean’s reproofs, or for its flight from the cat.