Old Dut looked up from a report blank over which he had been poring, to shoot out this question:
"Why doesn't the tide rise and fall in inland rivers?"
It was a habit of Old Dut's to throw out questions like this in study time, for the purpose of waking up some of the intellects that needed rousing.
"Master Holmes, you may answer that," proclaimed the principal.
Greg started out of a brown study at hearing his name spoken. He had a vague recollection of having heard a question asked. But his mind was still far away, so he did not realize the enormity of his offense as he replied:
"I don't know, but I'll be the goat. What's the answer?"
A gasp of amazement sounded around the room.
"Master Gregory Holmes," uttered Old Dut sternly, "ten checks for that impertinence. And go and stand in the corner by the piano. Turn your back to the school that you've insulted!"
At that moment there came a rap on the door. Then a young man entered, handing a sealed envelope to the principal.
"Master Prescott, put your books away and come here," directed Old Dut.