“I was thinking, however, that if we knew the other members of the—ah—band, Pennimore, the punishment could be spread over a larger surface, and your share would be less. You get my meaning?”
Gerald looked up squarely.
“Yes, sir; I know what you want me to do, but—but I’m not going to tell!” Mr. Collins sighed again, but somehow the sigh suggested relief rather than disappointment.
“Well, that’s for you to decide,” he said, gravely. “I don’t propose to go into the ethics of it with you, or to try further to persuade you. I gather that you are willing to take the punishment for all. Is that it?”
“If—if I have to, sir,” replied Gerald, rather weakly.
“I fear you will have to, my boy. You knew, doubtless, that you were transgressing the rules when you left your room that night?”
“Yes, sir, I guess so.”
“Well, did you, or didn’t you?”
“Yes, sir, I did.”