“Well, sir, I can’t undo it ... I only wish I could. I apologize to you, sir, ... unreservedly.”
Mr. Roylston appeared to choose his words with even more than his usual care. “I accept the apology, of course, technically. But naturally it does not atone for the offense.”
“No,” said Tony, “I know it does not.”
For a moment there was silence. “You are curious to know what I propose to do?” asked Mr. Roylston, with a note of sarcasm.
“No—no, sir,” replied Tony ingenuously. “I don’t think that matters, sir. I only hope you believe what I say, that I am truly sorry for what has occurred.”
He had worded his sentence unfortunately, for the master took it as a quibble. “Yes,” he replied tartly, “I can well believe that you are sorry for what has occurred.”
“I don’t mean——” began Tony.
“That will do,” said Mr. Roylston dryly. “I have gathered enough of your meaning for the once. No—I do not mean to punish you.” A bitter smile flickered over his face. “As I sought to explain in my note, which I had every intention should put a period to the incident, our punishments in this school are not adapted to the case. One has but two alternatives in such affairs,—to expel or to ignore persons capable of such conduct. I have concluded to ignore. I bid you good evening.”
Tony opened his mouth to speak again, but closed it quickly, and with a slight inclination of his head, turned and left the room.