He might have given him a terrific flogging and a public expulsion before all the school.

Instead of that he had sent him quietly away, and seemed sorry for rather than angry with him.

By the time the meal was finished there was probably not a boy but had taken an inward resolution that there was nothing he would not do for his master, and although such resolutions are generally but transient, Mr.Porson found that the good effect of his treatment of Mather was considerable and permanent.

Lessons were more carefully learned, obedience was not perhaps more prompt, but it was more willing, and the boys lost no opportunity of showing how anxious they were to please in every respect.
Ned and his brother were not present when Mr.Porson explained the cause of Mather's absence to the others, but they were surrounded by their schoolfellows, all eager to tell the news upon their arrival in the playground a few minutes before the school began.
Before breaking up in June, Porson's played their first cricket match with a strong village team, and beat them handsomely, although, as the boys said, it was to their master's bowling that their success was due.
Still the eleven all batted fairly, and made so long a score that they won in one innings; and Mr.Porson promised them that before the season ended they should have a whole holiday, and play the Marsden eleven.
Ned enjoyed his holiday rambles, taking several long walks across the moors accompanied by Bill Swinton, who had now perfectly recovered.

The discontent among the croppers, and indeed among the workers in the mills generally through the country was as great as ever; but the season was a good one; bread had fallen somewhat in price, and the pinch was a little less severe than it had been.