"I told you that, if you laid hands on me, I'd floor you."
"Would you have done it?"
"At the time, yes, sir. Or I'd have tried to do so."
"That is all. The locker room monitor will go with you to the basement. You may go for the day. When you come to-morrow morning, I will let you know what I have decided in your case."
Submaster Drake bit his lips. This was not the way to deal with
a situation in which the principal had started the trouble. Mr.
Drake wouldn't have handled the situation in this way, nor would
Dr. Thornton, the former principal.
But Purcell, with cheerfulness murmured, "Very good, sir," and left the room, while many approving glances followed him.
Messrs. Morton and Luce shuffled rather uneasily in their seats. Mr. Cantwell began to gather an idea that he was making his own bad matter worse, so he changed, making an address in which he touched but lightly upon the incidents of the morning. He made an urgent plea for discipline at all times, and tried to impress upon the student body the need for absolute self-control.
In view of his own hasty temper that last part of the speech nearly provoked an uproar of laughter. Only respect for Mr. Drake and the other submasters prevented that. The women teachers, or most of them, too, the boys were sure, sided with them secretly.
The first recitation period of the morning was going by rapidly, but Mr. Cantwell didn't allow that to interfere with his remarks. At last, however, he called for the belated singing. This was in progress when the door opened. Mr. Eldridge, superintendent of schools, entered, followed by Bristow's father. That latter gentleman looked angry.
"Mr. Cantwell, can you spare us a few moments in your office?" inquired Mr. Eldridge.