“Thank you, sir.”
Phineas went back to his seat, took a couple of books from his desk, and went out of the schoolroom. Peter Groot exchanged looks with John Wall. All had happened as he desired. Now he felt safe in precipitating a conflict.
His first overt act was to drop his slate heavily on the floor. The noise was such as to draw general attention. Walter looked up, but as he had no evidence that the disturbance was intentional, he said nothing. Five minutes later, Peter, having piled all his books near the edge of his desk, gave them a push and they, too, dropped on the floor.
“Be a little more careful, Peter,” said Walter, mildly. “You are disturbing the school.”
Peter mistook this mild tone for a confession of timidity, and it emboldened him. He threw up his head, and, leaning back in his seat, stared insolently at the young teacher, as much to say: “What are you going to do about it?”
“It’s coming,” thought Walter. “Well, it’s just as well now as at any other time.”
“Peter, will you pick up your books?” he said, calmly.
Peter made no motion to obey, but sat still, staring insolently at the teacher.
“Didn’t you hear me?” said Walter.
“Yes,” said Peter, “I heard you.”