“Yes,” said the teacher.
“Boys,” said Grayson, half facing the school, “you all hate a tell-tale, and so do I. Do you think it the fair thing to hold your tongues and make a tell-tale of me?”
“MR. MORTON, I WAS THERE.”
Grayson looked at Will Palmer as he spoke, but Will only looked sulky in return; then Grayson looked at Benny Mallow, and Benny was fast making up his mind that he would tell rather than have his friend do it, when up stood Bert Sharp and said,
“Mr. Morton, I was there.”
“Bravo, Sharp!” exclaimed the teacher. “Grayson, you may take your seat. Sharp, step to the front. Now, boys, who is man enough to stand beside Sharp?”
“I am,” piped Benny Mallow, and he almost ran in his eagerness.
“It’s no use,” whispered Will Palmer to Ned Johnston, and the two boys went to the front together; then there was a general uprising, and a scramble to see who should not be last.
“Good!” exclaimed Mr. Morton, looking at the culprits and then about the school-room; “I believe you’re all here. I’m proud of you, boys. You did a shameful thing in attacking a harmless man, but you have done nobly by confessing. I cannot let you off without punishment, but you will suffer far less than you would have done by successfully concealing your fault. None of you are to go out at recess next week. Now go to your seats. Sharp, you may take any unoccupied desk you like. After this I think I can trust you to behave yourself without being watched.”