Now, as this was the first time that I had been at the school, I was totally unacquainted with the process, which I had never seen, and, indeed, had never heard of till that moment.

I therefore sat still, not imagining it possible that any such duty could be required of me.

But now, with not a little confusion, I perceived that the eyes of all the boys in the school were fixed upon me.

Presently there were nods and winks in the direction of the bell-rope; and, as these produced no effect, uncouth visages were made, like those of monkeys when enraged; teeth were gnashed, tongues thrust out, and even fists were bent at me.

The master, who stood at the end of the room, with a huge ferule under his arm, bent full upon me a look of stern appeal; and the ushers, of whom there were four, glared upon me, each from his own particular corner, as I vainly turned, in one direction and another, in search of one reassuring look.
But now, probably in obedience to a sign from the master, the boys in my immediate neighbourhood began to maltreat me.