They look at one another in silent dismay.
What can it be now?
Which of their countless wrong-doings can he have heard of officially?
However, it's no use delaying, so up they go to the study.

There they find the Doctor, not angry, but very graver.

"He has sent for them to speak to very seriously before they go home.

They have each been flogged several times in the half-year for direct and wilful breaches of rules.

This cannot go on.