Captain Sankey had called on the new master, and had told him frankly the circumstances of the fracas between Ned and Mr.Hathorn.
"I will try your son at any rate, Mr.Sankey," the master said.

"I have a strong opinion that boys can be managed without such use of the cane as is generally adopted; that, in my opinion, should be the last resort.
Boys are like other people, and will do more for kindness than for blows.

By what you tell me, the circumstances of your son's bringing up in India among native servants have encouraged the growth of a passionate temper, but I trust that we may be able to overcome that; at any rate I will give him a trial." And so it was settled that Ned should return to Porson's, for so the establishment was henceforth to be known..