Towards the close of the afternoon Bob's fun took the form of paper balls, which, at every turn of Mr.Burrows's back, spun through the room in all directions; two or three of the smaller scholars joined him, and a regular fire of balls was kept up.

The boys complained--Mr.Burrows scolded.
At last he spoke this short, prompt sentence: "The next boy I catch throwing paper, or anything else, in this room to-day, I shall punish severely; and I shall expect any scholar who sees anything of this kind going on to inform me." Not five minutes after that Mr.Burrows bent over his desk in search of something within, when--whisk! went the largest paper ball that had been thrown that day, and landed on the teacher's forehead.

Some of the scholars laughed, some looked grave and startled, for Mr.Burrows was a man who always meant what he said.
"Does any one know who threw that ball ?" he asked, closing his desk and speaking in a calm, steady tone.
No reply,--silence for a minute.

Then, "Ellis Holbrook, do you know who threw that ball of paper ?" "Yes, sir." "Very well; I am waiting to be told." "Tip Lewis threw it, sir." This was a little too much for Tip.

The first time in his life that he had ever been in school all day without throwing one, to be so accused! He sprang up in his seat with fire in his eyes.
"I didn't!" he almost screamed.