Every one knew what that statement was to be.
“It is only right that I should inform you,” said Dr Ponsford, “that I have considered it my duty to accept Mr Railsford’s resignation, and that he leaves Grandcourt to-morrow. I confess that I do this with great pain and regret, for I have the highest opinion of Mr Railsford’s abilities and character. But discipline must be maintained in a school like ours. I have no doubt that in acting as he has done Mr Railsford considers that he is acting honourably. I do not wish to impugn his motives, mistaken as I suppose them. But the fact remains that he virtually admits his knowledge of the offender last term, and at the same time refuses to give him up to justice. Under those circumstances I had no choice but to accept his resignation.”
For a moment Branscombe’s letter burned uncomfortably in Mr Bickers’s pocket while the doctor was speaking. But it cooled again, and when Mr Grover said,—
“I am sure, sir, you will not misunderstand me when I say that your statement has caused some of us the deepest pain,” he felt himself able to join in the universal “Hear, hear,” with quiet fervour.
“We fully recognise,” continued Mr Grover, “that under the circumstances you had only this one course left open to you. At the same time, we who know and esteem our colleague, feel that his removal will be a distinct loss to Grandcourt, and would like to add our own opinion to yours, that in the course he has considered it right to take, he has been actuated by conscientious and honourable motives.”
Mr Bickers having said, “Hear, hear” once, did not feel called upon to repeat it at the end of this short speech, and was, indeed, rather glad to hurry back to his own house.
He had an idea that this time to-morrow he should feel considerably more comfortable.