"Do it, sir. I shall not object to any thing you do with my boy, for he deserves the worst he is likely to get for his bad behavior," replied the father.
"He will be condemned to a fine, and you will have to pay it," suggested Captain Gildrock.
"I will not pay it! I have done that twice, and I shall not do it again," protested Mr. Topover.
"Then he will stand committed till the fine is paid."
"So much the better!" exclaimed the desperate parent. "I have no money to waste on a boy who treats me as Tom does. He won't do a thing about the house; and, when he is out late, he makes his mother get his supper for him when he comes in. He is a bad boy, sir; and, if they keep him in jail for six months, I will not say a word."
"He needs a little sharp discipline."
"That he does! He hasn't been near the house since morning, and we may not see him to-night till nine or ten o'clock. Then he will want his supper, and a piece of bread and butter and some pie will not be enough for him. He makes such a row, that his mother has to cook something for him, even if the fires are all out."
"He seems to be a perfect tyrant in the house," added the principal with a smile, as he realized that the boy had been spoiled by his parents.
"That's just what he is. If he don't get what he wants, he makes such a row that he wakes all the children, and we have trouble half the night."
"He will not come home to-night, unless you wish to have him do so," said Captain Gildrock, coming nearer to his point.