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Then Mr Rebble and Mr Hasnip came down to see how we were getting on, and stood cheering and encouraging the timid ones, who were loth to get duckings by learning to swim. I had been trying for some time, right out in the middle, to float without moving, while Mercer and Hodson in turn had their tries.
Burr major slipped off his jacket and held it up in the dusk to point out a label inside the collar, where, worked in blue silk upon white satin, was the name of the maker, his own father. "Yes, that's yours," said Mr Rebble in a disappointed tone. "I thought that the mistake might have been made. But the vest are you sure of that?"
"No, sir," I cried angrily, "I am not!" and again there was silence. "I think I will give you time for reflection," said the Doctor. "Mr Rebble, I place Burr junior in your charge. Of course he must be secluded. I, too, want time for reflection before sending word to the unhappy lad's friends a most painful task a most painful task."
We went in to tea, which was only tea for Mr Rebble, who had a small black pot to himself, and a tiny jug of cream; but the bread and butter and milk and water were delicious, and I had made so good a meal that I had forgotten all about our visit to the cook till we had been in bed some time. I was just dozing off to sleep, when I was roused up by Mercer's hand laid across my mouth.
We moved toward the yard, but before we reached the gateway, without speaking now, our names were shouted, and, stopping and looking round, I saw Mr Hasnip and Mr Rebble coming after us, the former beckoning.
"There! you see," he cried, "you see the effect your appearance has upon one who always takes the greatest of interest in you, and, er Mr Rebble, I feel disposed to be lenient this time, as the boys have pretty well punished themselves. I leave it to you. Moderate impositions. There, go at once and shut yourselves up in your dormitories.
I was not kept waiting long to muse over my position, and be stared at by all the boys, who took the greatest interest in my swellings, cuts, and marks, for Mr Rebble came to the door, and shouted, "Now, young gentlemen, the Doctor is waiting." I felt a curious shiver run through me, as I glanced round for Tom Mercer. He was close at hand, ready to whisper,
"Less talking there," said Mr Rebble sharply. "Hark at old Reb!" whispered the new-comer. "I say, we're going to have a holiday to-day, ain't we?" "No such luck." "Oh, but we must! I've written this out. You'll sign, won't you?" My neighbour snatched a document consisting of about half a dozen lines, and pushed it back. "He'll keep us in if we do." "Not he.
"Good morning, Mr Rebble;" and then he marched solemnly to the pulpit on the dais, took his place, waved his hand, there was a repetition of the rustling and shuffling as the boys reseated themselves, and then the humming murmur of the school recommenced. "I say, how old are you?" whispered my companion. "Sixteen nearly," I replied. "Well, that is rum. So am I. So's lots of fellows here.
"What is it? What's the matter?" cried Mr Rebble, hurrying along the path, while Lomax came running round from the other side, for he had crossed the dam to act the part of water shepherd over some of his wet lambs. But Burr major only kept on shrieking, "Help! help!" "What's the matter, boys?" cried Mr Hasnip, who was now standing on the bank just where Burr major would land. "Don't know, sir."
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