“And you, Jones,” said the doctor to me, not heeding the last speech,—“I am more sorry for you. You are a foolish, misguided boy. Even now, if you atone for your fault by replying to my questions, I am willing to spare your mother the misery you seem bent on bringing upon her.”
This was a cruel thrust. The thought of my mother had crossed my mind once or twice already, and almost brought the tears to my eyes. It would be hard to explain all to her—and yet, and yet, anything was better than turning sneak.
“I won’t answer,” said I. “I’d sooner be expelled.”
“Your desire shall be gratified,” said the doctor drily; “to-morrow you will go too.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Tempest, you will remain here for the rest of the day—Jones, you will go to the dormitory and remain there. I forbid you, either of you, to hold any communication with your late schoolfellows while you remain here.”
Next morning after breakfast we were finally brought up before the whole school and harangued publicly by the head master. Our punishment, he told us, we had deliberately brought on our own heads. Aggravated insubordination like ours was not to be tolerated in any school. He was sure we should soon regret and be ashamed of our conduct, if we were not so already. For his own part he would try to forget the unfortunate affair, and to think kindly of us both. Mr Ramsbottom would see Tempest to the station, and the matron would escort me.
“Good-bye, Tempest,” said he, holding out his hand.
“Good-bye,” said the Dux, not heeding the hand, and walking to the door.
“Good-bye, Jones.”