"Yes, sir."
"Well, Bedelle, what is your explanation? Were you trying to poison any one?"
"You were not contemplating self-destruction, were you?" said the Doctor, whose curiosity led him to adopt a light coaxing manner.
"Please, sir, I was experimenting."
"Experimenting! What for?"
"I'm sorry, sir, I can't tell you," said Skippy defiantly. He had foreseen the test, but he was resolved to be drawn and quartered before yielding up the secret of his future millions.
"You—can't—tell—me?" said the Doctor in his pulpit sternness.
"No, sir. I've taken an oath."
"Do you realize, Bedelle, that you owe me an explanation, that if there is no explanation for this extraordinary attack on the discipline and morale of the school that I should be quite justified in requesting your immediate departure?"