David hesitated. “Must I tell, sir?” not trusting himself to look at Joel.
“Tom Beresford.”
“Ugh!” Joel sprang from his chair. “He hadn't anything to do with it, sir. Tom has been awfully good. He only told Dave.”
“Go back to your chair, Joel,” said Mr. Harrow. “Now, then, David, go on. So you went out with Beresford to find Joel, eh?”
“Yes, sir,” said David faintly.
“Any other boy?” asked the under-teacher quickly.
“No, sir.”
“Well, then, Tom is waiting out there, I suppose, now.” Mr. Harrow got out of his chair.
“He didn't have anything to do with it, sir,” cried Joel wildly, and flying out of his chair again, “truly he didn't.”