He was evidently in no haste; lessons could wait. After a silence that seemed very long to the boys, he began to speak.
It was a short, sharp lecture upon the meanness of falsehood and all deceit, without a word in regard to the original trouble--the mutilation of the books.
I think it doubtful if a lecturer ever before had so attentive and awe-struck an audience. At the close he said, "Boys, I will call the roll once more. Let each answer on his honour--if he have any honour--whether he mutilated the books of the class in 'Anabasis.'"
Again from the beginning to the end of the roll the names were called, and again every voice unhesitatingly answered, "No."
Joe Chester's face was crimson; he dared not look up.
Some of his school-mates noticed his confusion, and whispered to their neighbours, "Look at little Joe! Do you suppose he did it after all?"
"Is it possible?" exclaimed Mr. Bernard in a despairing tone. "Have I been harbouring a liar among my boys all the year?"
With a sigh he opened the book again, and said, "On your honour, boys, answer me this question: Do you know who did the mischief? Although I confess I almost forget that in my regret that one of my boys has told a direct lie."
Once more the boys answered to their names, "No."
Joe listened almost heart-sick, hoping that Carver would say yes; but his negative was a decided one.