"Are you the principal of the Parkville Liberal Institute, or am I?" said he, when the parson had finished.
"Neither of us, I think, as the matter now stands, sir."
"I see that you are determined to defy me," added Mr. Parasyte. "You ask me to restore Thornton without punishment of any kind. Are you aware that he assaulted me with a deadly weapon?"
"We are aware that he defended himself when assaulted."
"Assaulted!" gasped Mr. Parasyte, astounded to hear his own act called by such a name. "Are you aware of the powers which the law lodges in the hands of the teacher?"
"I am."
"Thornton refused to obey me; and, at his uncle's request, I intended to enforce obedience. It was my duty to do so."
"May I inquire, Mr. Parasyte, in what Thornton refused to obey you?" asked Vallington, in the gentlest of tones.
"I required him to apologize to Poodles privately, and to me publicly. He refused to do so."
"I told Mr. Parasyte that I would apologize to him," I interposed, addressing our leader.