CHAPTER VIII.
THE OLD PIT.
ALFRED’S father had returned home, and had written to him saying that they were all coming to see him on the following day. It was not many miles from Darlton to the old city where Alfred was. He had done all his work well, and both Mr. Harmer and Dr. Phillips had praised him for his industry and attention.
Mr. Cottenham, unknown to the boys, had told Mr. Harmer that Cox had bought an arithmetic book and key with the answers, and the master had promised to look carefully over his sums in future. Cox thought himself very cunning, and used to do about one sum in three wrong, so that his master might not suspect him. But boys forget that, however clever they may think themselves, masters have eyes, and also have been boys themselves, and know what tricks are done in school.
For several mornings Mr. Harmer did not look carefully over Cox’s sums, but merely asked him to read out the answers. A day came, however, on which the boys were given a holiday after services in the cathedral, and Mr. Harmer felt certain that Cox would have all his sums quite correct, in order that he might not be kept in. As usual, he was simply asked to read out the answers. Cox did so; they were all correct, as Mr. Harmer had expected.
“Bring your book here,” he said.
Cox brought up his arithmetic book.
“No, Cox,” he said, “I wish to see your exercise book, with the working of the sums.”
“I haven’t put quite all the working down, sir,” stammered Cox, turning very red. “I did the sums first on a piece of paper at home, and then threw it away.”
“Bring up your book.”