"I had not helped any one when I signed my paper."
"Humph!" exclaimed Vallington, with a withering sneer. "That is the meanest kind of a lie."
"I didn't mean to assist him; he teased me till I couldn't help myself," pleaded Pearl.
A further examination showed that Poodles had browbeaten and threatened him; and we were disposed to palliate Pearl's offence, in consideration of his poverty and his dependent position, after he had confessed his error.
"Are you willing to make this acknowledgment to Mr. Parasyte?" asked the judge, in a tone of compassion.
"I don't want to; but I will. I suppose he will send me home then," replied the culprit.
"We will do what we can for you," added the judge.
Pearl had been a pretty good fellow among the boys, was generally popular, and all were sorry for him. But his confession in a manner absolved him, and the students heartily declared that they would stand by him.
"Our business is finished," said Vallington, "unless Poodles has something more to say."
Poodles had listened with consternation to the confession of Pearl, and he now appeared to be dissatisfied with himself rather than with the court.