It came as a shock to everybody there, that after all the dictionary should have been taken by one of their number, and that the master's kindness on that occasion should have been requited by another robbery seemed a disgrace to the whole school.

That Mather, too, always loud, noisy, and overbearing, should have been the thief was surprising indeed.

Had it been some quiet little boy, the sort of boy others are given to regard as a sneak, there would have been less surprise, but that Mather should do such a thing was astounding.

These were probably the first reflections which occurred to every boy as he sat down to breakfast.
The next impression was how good Mr.Porson had been about it.

He might have given Mother in charge, and had him punished by law.