"Parker, you may go."
"Good for me!" said Leon to himself, as he hurried down the stairs. "I am well out of that scrape. I hope you'll get a good licking, Mr. Sam Hynes; that's all the harm I wish you."
If Leon had been standing in front of the school-house about ten minutes later, he would have been disappointed, and perhaps greatly disgusted.
A step sounded in the hall, and Sam Hynes came bounding out as if he were set on springs.
When he reached the steps, he thrust his hands into his pockets, struck up a lively whistle, and walked off with an air which seemed to say that he was well satisfied with the world and everybody in it, himself included.
It was evident from his actions that he had not been very severely reprimanded for the part he had taken in the affair on the ball-ground; but Leon could not say as much for himself half an hour after he arrived at his father's house.
Frank had been loitering along the road, waiting for Leon, and when the two reached home, they found all the family there as before.
Leon was at once invited into the library, while Frank, who did not care to stay where his father was, went up to his room. He wondered what was wrong now, and when his cousin came up he found out.
Leon's face was very pale, his eyes were red and swollen, and Frank had never seen him so angry before.