"There'd better be no row over this, Paradyne. If you flung me out of the place—which perhaps might turn out to be a bit of mistaken boasting, if we came to try it—another would fill it up. You ought never to have come among us, and that's a fact; there has been a feeling against you always, but it's only since a day or two that we've known the cause. If I were you, I'd go quietly out at that door and through the college gates, and have done with it for good. And upon my word and honour I say this for the best: it's the only thing left for you to do."
"If you don't tell me the meaning of this, I'll fling you out, I say," repeated George. "I give you three seconds. One! two!——."
"The meaning is, that you can't be tolerated here any longer," interrupted Brown. "Neither may you go in for the Orville."
"That's not the meaning—that's the result. I ask you for the meaning—the reason—the cause. Are you stupid?" added George, stamping his foot.
"Well—you know what your father was."
"What was he?"
Brown major hesitated. He was of a civil nature, and really did not like his task. To say to a college friend in his teens—your father was a swindler—or a forger—or a felon—is not pleasant. There was no time to lose, for the under-masters were coming in.
"I don't know the rights of it as well as some of them, Paradyne," said Brown at length. "Of course I'm sorry for you; but we are gentlemen here. Ask Trace the particulars—or ask Lamb."
Before another word could be spoken, the hall had to rise at the entrance of the Head Master. Instead of taking his seat when he reached his table, he remained standing, and addressed the first desk.
"Gentlemen, in consequence of the absence of Mr. Henry this morning, the order of studies has been changed. You will go at once to Mr. Baker's room for mathematics."