"Proceed, if you please," said Mr. Gault.
"I think I will do this business by myself," replied Richard.
"According to a rule of the Institute, the wardrobe of each pupil must be inspected," said the teacher.
"Inspected?" asked the recruit. "What for?"
"To see that no improper articles are brought in."
"I would rather not," added Richard.
"The rule is imperative," said Mr. Gault, decidedly.
The strait jacket had already begun to oppress the male heir of Woodville, and he was disposed to resent the indignity, as he deemed it; but almost the last words of Bertha had been an injunction to observe the rules of the school, however distasteful they might be. Reluctantly, and with the feeling that he was sacrificing his independence, Richard transferred his clothing to the closet assigned to him. Mr. Gault carefully watched the proceeding, and confiscated several articles which were declared to be contraband, among which were some cakes and other sweetmeats, prepared by Bertha, and several yellow-covered novels he had purchased in Whitestone.
"Can't I have those things?" asked Richard.
"No, sir; no boy belonging to the Institute is allowed to eat cake on the premises."