Great were the surprise and curiosity of the scholars assembled in front of the schoolhouse when they saw Peter Groot and the “master” walking together, and apparently on friendly terms. They had speculated upon what course Peter would pursue, and whether he would venture to continue his annoyances, but they were far from imagining that there would be such a speedy reconciliation. Even now they hardly believed the evidence of their senses. When Walter had entered the schoolhouse, they crowded upon Peter with questions.
“Did he give you a scolding, Peter?” asked Charles Carney.
“Of course he didn’t,” said Peter.
“What did he say?”
“He promised to teach me to box.”
“He did?” exclaimed Charles, in astonishment.
“Yes, he’s goin’ to give me my first lesson to-night, after school.”
“And you don’t hate him any more?”
“No; he’s a tiptop feller. I’ll lick any boy that says he ain’t.”
Among those who listened with astonishment to this sudden change of tone on Peter’s part was Phineas Morton, who had recovered from his headache, and had just heard an account of what had taken place the afternoon previous.