I am sure I am thinking of your interest as much as my own; and I have spoken to him over and over again about you, and he has promised dozens of times to do his best to be like a father to you all." Ned winced perceptibly.
"All right, mother! I do hope you will be happy; but, please, don't let us talk about it again till--till it comes off; and, please, don't let him come here in the evening.

I will try and get accustomed to it in time; but you see it's rather hard at first, and you know I didn't expect it." So saying Ned left the room, and collecting his books made his way off to school, leaving his mother highly satisfied with the interview.
His absence from afternoon school had, of course, been noticed, and Smithers had told his friends how Ned had flown at him on his speaking to him about the talk of his mother and Mulready.

Of course before afternoon school broke up every boy knew that Ned Sankey had cut up rough about the report; and although the great majority of the boys did not know Mr.Mulready by name there was a general feeling of sympathy with Ned, The circumstances of his father's death had, of course, exalted him greatly in the eyes of his schoolfellows, and it was the unanimous opinion, that after having had a hero for his father, a fellow would naturally object to having a stepfather put over him.
Ned's absence was naturally associated with the news, and caused much comment and even excitement.

His attack upon Mr.Hathorn had become a sort of historical incident in the school, and the younger boys looked up with a sort of respectful awe upon the boy who had defied a headmaster.

There were all sorts of speculations rife among them as to what Ned had done, there being a general opinion that he had probably killed Mr.Mulready, and the debate turning principally upon the manner in which this act of righteous vengeance had been performed.
There was, then, a feeling almost of disappointment when Ned walked into the playground looking much as usual, except that his face was pale and his eyes looked heavy and dull.