Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 22, 2025
For Mr Bickers's letter was from Branscombe; and was as follows: "Sir, I have been expecting to return to Grandcourt all this term, but I am sorry to say I have been ill again, and the doctor says I shall have to go abroad for some months. Before I go, I feel I must make a confession which will surprise you as much to read as it pains me to write it.
For the rest of the day Railsford's seemed to be playing hide and seek with the rest of the school, and it was not till late in the evening that the mystery was cleared up. "Come and let's see what it's all about," said Smedley to Branscombe.
Then, turning to Ainger and Railsford, he said, "Would you two come again later on? and on your way, Ainger, will you ask Mr Bickers to come here?" "Excuse me, doctor," said Mr Branscombe, "but I should much prefer if these two gentlemen remained. I believe, in fact, that although I do not know them they have come to see you on this same business that I have."
The children were five or six in number, ranging from a boy of ten to a baby in her arms all clean and healthy looking, with bright, fun-loving faces. I mentioned that I was on my way to Branscombe, and inquired the distance. "Branscomb are you going there? Oh, I wonder what you will think of Branscombe!" she exclaimed, her white cheeks flushing, her innocent eyes sparkling with excitement.
There were three of us in it. One was another boy of your house, and the other was in Mr Railsford's house, only all he did was to show us the cupboard in which we put you. I should be glad to think, before I go away, that things are put right at Grandcourt by this confession. Please forgive me for my revengeful act, and, believe me, sir, yours truly, "S. Branscombe.
Not a word about it had escaped his own lips. Branscombe was away, and Clipstone scarcely anyone in Railsford's house ever saw. But the secret was out, and what kept Hunger awake that night was neither shame nor remorse, but fear lest he should be expelled, or, perhaps worse, arrested! The three prefects sat late, talking over their wonderful discovery.
"He did look fishy," said Branscombe, shortly, "but I say, Smedley, hadn't we better measure off without Ainger, and get him to see if he approves afterwards?" So the work went on without the representatives of Railsford's house, and the bell rang for school-dinner before any of the missing ones had put in an appearance.
I sometimes think of this boy, and sometimes of that boy; I have even said to myself, Why do we look only in Meester Railsford's house? Why could it not be for I see boys of all the houses why could it not be perhaps one of Meester Beekaire's own boys? They hate him I wish Branscombe would come back. I think if he did, I would ask him."
"I only opened the door of the boot-box, and helped drag him in. I had nothing to do with the scragging. Branscombe did all that himself, and Clipstone hung to his legs." It needed all the self-control of the three prefects to refrain from an exclamation of astonishment at this wonderful disclosure. "Are you telling the truth?" demanded Ainger.
If only people would say, now and then, that you ought to eat plum-pudding, or you ought to dance, or you ought to wear jewels! But no! it is always you ought to sew, or you ought to carry some broken victuals to old Goody Branscombe, or you ought to be as sweet as a rosebud when Hatty says things at you. Stop! would it be so if I always wanted to do the things I ought? I suppose not.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking