IN WHICH ERNEST THORNTON INTRODUCES HIMSELF.
"Ernest Thornton!" called Mr. Parasyte, the principal of the Parkville Liberal Institute, in a tone so stern and severe that it was impossible to mistake his meaning, or not to understand that a tempest was brewing. "Ernest Thornton!"
As that was my name, I replied to the summons by rising, and exhibiting my full length to all the boys assembled in the school-room—about one hundred in number.
"Ernest Thornton!" repeated Mr. Parasyte, not satisfied with the demonstration I had made.
"Sir!" I replied, in a round, full, square tone, which was intended to convince the principal that I was ready to "face the music."
"Ernest Thornton, I am informed that you have been engaged in a fight," he continued, in a tone a little less sharp than that with which he had pronounced my name; and I had the vanity to believe that the square tone in which I had uttered the single word I had been called upon to speak had produced a salutary impression upon him.
"I haven't been engaged in any fight, sir," I replied, with all the dignity becoming a boy of fourteen.
"Sir! what do you mean by denying it?" added Mr. Parasyte, working himself up into a magnificent mood, which was intended to crush me by its very majesty—but it didn't.
"I have not engaged in any fight, sir," I repeated, with as much decision as the case seemed to require.
"Didn't you strike William Poodles?" demanded he, fiercely.