"I want him to acknowledge that he has been terribly mistaken about the school, for one thing."
"You do acknowledge that, don't you?" asked the man.
Dreer nodded almost eagerly. Amy viewed him doubtfully.
"Perhaps it would be well for him to state that he considers Brimfield Academy to be, to the best of his knowledge, the finest school in the world."
"I--I do think so," agreed Dreer sullenly. "I was just fooling."
"In fact," pursued Amy, "compared to Claflin School, Brimfield is as a gem of purest ray to a--a pebble, Dreer? You are convinced of that, are you not?"
"I suppose so."
"Only--suppose, Dreer? Couldn't you be absolutely certain?"
"Yes, I--I'm certain."
"Fine! Now, in regard to that violin, Dreer, which, you know, has nothing to do with our recent altercation. Could you find it convenient to tell us who sneaked into Durkin's room and cracked it?"