The gravity of the school had not been greatly helped by Thomas sheepish answer to the master's indignant question, "What did you do that for, sir ?" "I didn't; it did itself." On the whole, the opening day had not been a success.

As a matter of fact, it was almost too much to expect that it should be anything but a failure.

There was a kind of settled if unspoken opinion among the children that no master could ever fill Archibald Munro's place in the school.

Indeed, it was felt to be a kind of impertinence for any man to attempt such a thing.

And further, there was a secret sentiment among the boys that loyalty to the old master's memory demanded an attitude of unsympathetic opposition to the one who came to take his place.