"Very well, Joe."
"We boys, the whole crowd of us, want to go off on a lark."
"That is frankly said, Joe," said Mr. Bernard smiling.
Joe laughed, and continued, "We want to go over to a fishing-place John tells about, where the fish are extra big and quick to bite."
"I am willing, Joe, perfectly willing."
"But that isn't all, Mr. Bernard," said Joe reddening, and finding it harder to ask the favour than he expected. "We want to go on our own hook, and not have any one to look after us."
"That would be sorry fishing, to get on your own hooks, Chester," was the laughing reply. "But I understand: you object to the company of the teachers. Is that it?"
That did not sound just right to Joe, but it was the truth; so he laughed and admitted the fact. "What have you against us, Joe? Are we too strict?" asked Mr. Bernard good-naturedly. "Have we offended your majesties in any way?"
"Oh no, sir. The teachers are very nice; but some of the boys think they are tied up too much, and get kind of uneasy."
Mr. Bernard glanced over the crowd of boys gathered round to hear the decision, and seemed to be studying the question.