"Thank you, Jessop," said he, always pleasant with his pupils. "It would not do to lose this, would it?"
The pencil was of gold, with a beautiful diamond set in the top. It had been a present to him from some former pupils. The doctor began to make notes on an exercise.
"I say, Dick, what a blessing the German did not twig you," whispered Smart, speaking with his head bent over his Euripides as if he were steadily conning it.
"But he did," answered Dick.
"I'm sure he didn't. What nonsense! As if he'd not have got you into punishment if he had the chance!"
Dick, for a wonder, did not insist on his own opinion, and the afternoon went on. Dr. Brabazon's man-servant, Dean, appeared at the door and said a gentleman was waiting to see him, and the doctor left the hall. He only came back again just as the classes were rising.
Boys and masters poured out indiscriminately as usual. Mr. Henry walked away quickly, and the boys went into a state of frantic delight in the tea-room, ironically hoping he was washing his cheek.
But Dick Loftus had been struck with the amazing generosity displayed to him; for that Mr. Henry saw him fling the apple purposely, had been as plain to him as the sun at noon-day; and he thought he owed some acknowledgment of the consideration shown. Dick Loftus was all impulse, and he forthwith went on the gallop to Mother Butter's. Mr. Henry was bending over his table working at the translation.
"I've come to say I'm sorry for what I did, and to thank you for not telling of me," began Dick, his face glowing rather more than usual.
"That's right," said Mr. Henry, his luminous eyes lighting up with a smile as he took Dick's hand and shook it.