Thomas, taken off his guard, fell with a thud on the floor.
"Stop that, young man!" said the minister, catching his arm.

"That's a coward's blow." "Hands off!" said the master, shaking himself free and squaring up to him.
"Ye would, would ye ?" said the minister, gripping him by the neck and shaking him as he might a child.

"Lift ye're hand to me, would ye?
I'll break you're back to ye, and that I will." So saying, the minister seized him by the arms and held him absolutely helpless.

The master ceased to struggle, and put down his hands.
"Ay, ye'd better, my man," said the minister, giving him a fling backward.
Meantime Don had been holding snow to Thomas's head, and had brought him round.
"Now, then," said the minister to the boys, "what does all this mean ?" The boys were all silent, but the master spoke.
"It is a case of rank and impudent insubordination, sir, and I demand the expulsion of those impudent rascals." "Well, sir," said the minister, "be sure there will be a thorough investigation, and I greatly misjudge the case if there are not faults on both sides.

And for one thing, the man who can strike such a cowardly blow as you did a moment ago would not be unlikely to be guilty of injustice and cruelty." "It is none of your business," said the master, insolently.
"You will find that I shall make it my business," said the minister.
"And now, boys, be off to your homes, and be here Monday morning at nine o'clock, when this matter shall be gone into.".