"Then, Mr. Prescott, please understand that I forbid you to write anything for publication concerning this morning's happenings."
Dick remained silent.
"You will not, will you?"
"That, Mr. Cantwell, is a matter that seems to rest between the editor and myself."
"But I have forbidden it," insisted the principal, in surprise.
"That is a matter, sir, about which you will have to see the editor.
Here at school, Mr. Cantwell, I am under your orders. At 'The
Blade' office I work under Mr. Pollock's instructions."
The principal looked as though he were going to grow angry. On the whole, though, he felt that he had had enough of the consequences of his own wrath for one day. So he swallowed hard and replied:
"Very good, then, Mr. Prescott. I shall hold you responsible for anything you publish that I may consider harmful to me."
Dick did print an account of the trouble at school. He confined himself to a statement of the facts that he had observed with his own eyes. Editorially "The Blade" printed a comment to the effect that such scenes would have been impossible under the much-missed Dr. Thornton.
Mr. Cantwell didn't have anything disagreeable to say to Dick Prescott the next morning. Purcell took up the burden of his studies again without comment. The principal did apologize effectively to young Bristow before the student body, while the elder Bristow stood grimly by.