What can it be now? Which of their countless wrong-doings can he have
heard of officially? However, it's no use delaying, so up they go to the
study. There they find the Doctor, not angry, but very graver. "He has
sent for them to speak to very seriously before they go home. They have
each been flogged several times in the half-year for direct and
wilful breaches of rules. This cannot go on. They are doing no good to
themselves or others, and now they are getting up in the School, and
have influence. They seem to think that rules are made capriciously, and
for the pleasure of the masters; but this is not so. They are made for
the good of the whole School, and must and shall be obeyed. Those who
thoughtlessly or wilfully break them will not be allowed to stay at the
School. He should be sorry if they had to leave, as the School might
do them both much good, and wishes them to think very seriously in the
holidays over what he has said. Good-night."
And so the two hurry off horribly scared; the idea of having to leave
has never crossed their minds, and is quite unbearable.
As they go out, they meet at the door old Holmes, a sturdy, cheery
prepostor of another house, who goes in to the Doctor; and they hear
his genial, hearty greeting of the newcomer, so different to their own
reception, as the door closes, and return to their study with heavy
hearts, and tremendous resolves to break no more rules.
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