"Ah, me! What am I to do ?" "There may have been some slight provocation," said the man, a little modified by the manner in which his complaint was received, and departing from his first assertion.
"Nothing to justify an assault like this," replied Mr.Howland with promptness.

"Nothing! Nothing! The boy will be the death of me." "Caution him, if you please, Mr.Howland, against a repetition of such dangerous conduct.

The result might be deplorable." "I will do something more than caution him, you may be sure," was answered, and, as he spoke, the lips of Mr.Howland were drawn tightly across his teeth.
The man went away, and Mr.Howland dispatched a messenger to the school for Andrew immediately, and then started for home.

He had been there only a little while, when the boy came in with a frightened look.

To his father's eyes conscious guilt was in his countenance.
"Go up stairs, sir!" was the stern salutation that met the lad's ears.
"Father, I--" "Silence, sir! Don't let me hear a word out of your head!" The boy shrunk away and went up to his own room in the third story, whither his angry father immediately followed him.
"Now, sir, take off your jacket!" said Mr.Howland who had a long, thick rattan in his hand.
"Indeed father," pleaded the child, "I wasn't to blame.