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"But all these are excellent lads, sir," said the master deprecatingly. "Humph!" "Best of characters." "Humph!" "Our own training, sir. Mr Sibery has spared no pains, and I have watched over the boys' morals." "Yes, I dare say. Of course. Here, what boy's that?" He pointed with his cane to a pair of round blue eyes, quite at the back. "That, sir that lame boy!"
Mr Hippetts frowned, and Mr Sibery wished he had not spoken; but the dark look on the master's brow gave place to an air of triumph as the schoolmaster introduced seven boys, one after the other, to all of whom the visitor gave a decided negative. "Seems a strange thing," he said, "that out of three hundred boys you cannot show one I like."
"Because," said the master, with a peculiar smile which was reflected in the schoolmaster's face; "you are sure to bring him back." "I think I said before I shall not bring him back," replied the doctor coldly. The master bowed, and Mr Sibery cleared his throat and frowned at the boys. "Then I think that's all," said the doctor, laying his hand upon the boy's head.
"And is that the way to make yourself better?" "I can't help it," he said, half defiantly. "It's no use to try, and I'm going back." "To grieve me, and make me sorry that I have been mistaken?" "Yes," he said huskily, and with his arm still across his eyes. "I'm going back, and old Sibery may cut me to pieces," he added passionately. "I don't care."
Dexter hesitated, and shifted one foot over the other. "Well, sir, I am waiting," cried Mr Limpney, in a tone of voice which made Dexter think very much resembled that of Mr Sibery when he was angry. "Don't hesitate, sir. Have I not told you again and again that a gentleman never hesitates, but speaks out at once? Now then, I ask you how you arrived at this wonderful conclusion?"
We always stand up in a class at the House, and one boy reads one bit, and another boy goes on next, and then you're always losing your place, because it's such a long time before it comes round to your turn, and then old Sibery gives you the cane." "Yes, yes; but go on," said Helen, with a feeling of despair concerning her father's protege.
"'I tell you what it is, said Hiram, 'I'm a free and independent American citizen, and I an't a-gon' to hev no man tyrannize over me, if he doos call himself by one o' them noblemen's titles. Ef I can't work jes' as I choose, fur folks that wants me to work fur 'em and that I want to work fur, I might jes' as well go to Sibery and done with it. My gran'f'ther fit in Bunker Hill battle.
Dexter's face was scarlet as he dropped upon his knees to pick it up, and found the doctor gazing at him, or, as in his own mind he put it, threatening a similar caning to that which Mr Sibery gave him a year before, when he dropped the big Bible on the schoolroom floor. "Be careful, my boy, be careful," said the doctor dreamily, for he was half lost in thought. "That damages the bindings.
He hastily drew up his sleeve, and displayed a ruddy circle on his white skin, which bore pretty strong witness to the truth of his words. "Then, if you were not to blame, why should you shrink from coming to papa?" "'Cause he mightn't believe me. Mr Sibery never would, neither," muttered Dexter. "Tell the truth and papa will be sure to believe you," cried Helen indignantly.
He drew back for a few moments, his victim's aspect being menacing; but Dexter's young spirit had been kept crushed down for a good many years, and his custom had been under many a blow to sit and suffer patiently, not even crying aloud, Mr Sibery objecting to any noise in the school. Dexter had subsided again.
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