Singer stood up. The tears were streaming down his face. Philip stepped forward. Mr. Watson looked at him for a moment.
“I’m not going to cane you. You’re a new boy. And I can’t hit a cripple. Go away, both of you, and don’t be naughty again.”
When they got back into the school-room a group of boys, who had learned in some mysterious way what was happening, were waiting for them. They set upon Singer at once with eager questions. Singer faced them, his face red with the pain and marks of tears still on his cheeks. He pointed with his head at Philip, who was standing a little behind him.
“He got off because he’s a cripple,” he said angrily.
Philip stood silent and flushed. He felt that they looked at him with contempt.
“How many did you get?” one boy asked Singer.
But he did not answer. He was angry because he had been hurt
“Don’t ask me to play Nibs with you again,” he said to Philip. “It’s jolly nice for you. You don’t risk anything.”
“I didn’t ask you.”
“Didn’t you!”