Just then the superintendent's bell sounded and the lesson time was over.
When the school was dismissed, Mr. Scott detained Tode.
"Why didn't you tell me that Dick had stuck a pin into you first," the teacher asked, rapidly turning the leaves of his Bible as he spoke.
"I ain't a sneak like he is," answered Tode, briefly.
Mr. Scott found the place that he wanted, and keeping his finger between the leaves, looked thoughtfully at the boy before him.
"You told me that your name is Tode. That is what the boys call you. It isn't your real name, is it?" he asked, with a friendly look.
Tode puckered his forehead into a puzzled frown at the question.
"N-no," he answered, slowly. "There's some more to it, but I can't think what 'tis. Wish't I could."
"You've no father or mother?"
"No--never had none since I's big enough to know anything," was the careless reply.