"O, William, do be careful," said Dorcas; for by that time Master Purple had come to his senses, and was rushing towards William, brandishing that heavy ruler.
But William was too quick for him. Before Master Purple could reach the back seat, the boy ran across the benches between the heads of the frightened children, and seizing the monstrous tongs, tossed them like a feather, exclaiming,
"Stand off, sir!"
What could Mr. Purple do? He was angry enough to tear William in pieces; but it was not so easy to get at a boy who was armed with a pair of tongs.
"How dare you?" he cried, choking with rage; "how dare you, young man? Are the boys in this school willing to look on and see their teacher insulted?"
The boys did seem to be willing. Mr. Purple glanced about the room, hoping some one would come to his aid; but no one came. They were all against him, and full of admiration for William, though none of them would have dared to take William's place.
The little boys liked the excitement, but the little girls thought this was the end of the world, and began to cry.
"Is this the treatment I am to receive from my school?" exclaimed Master Purple, in despair.
The like had never been heard of in the town of Perseverance that a school should rise against its teacher.
"I am going straight to your father to inform him of your conduct," he stammered, his face white with wrath.