"Do you allude to me alone?"
"To all of you. I understand you to speak for the whole party."
"We shall be happy to do so," replied our general; and I am sure he spoke the sentiment of all the students.
"I am glad to see you are returning to reason," added the principal; but there was a look upon his face which showed how much pleasure he expected to derive from the proposed punishment.
"May I ask whether we are to be punished equally?" asked Vallington.
"You are to be punished in proportion to your offences—the ringleaders more, of course, than those who were simply led away by the influence of their leaders."
"And we are to be punished only for this breaking away?"
Mr. Parasyte bit his lips. It is possible he had a hope of restoring the Institute to its former condition.
"I don't understand you," said he.
"Is Thornton to be regarded as guilty only of breaking away, with the rest of us?"