23/30 The pupils wondered if this foolhardy boy had lost his mind. The master said: "You--you did what ?" "Stopped to talk with Huckleberry Finn." There was no mistaking the words. No mere ferule will answer for this offence. Take off your jacket." The master's arm performed until it was tired and the stock of switches notably diminished. Then the order followed: "Now, sir, go and sit with the girls! And let this be a warning to you." The titter that rippled around the room appeared to abash the boy, but in reality that result was caused rather more by his worshipful awe of his unknown idol and the dread pleasure that lay in his high good fortune. |