To make the matter doubly sure, it was arranged that Alfred should speak to the master about the matter before school commenced.
When the boys reached the school-room, they found the master already at his desk.

He listened with interest to Alfred's story of the runaways, and was evidently pleased that he had so frankly confessed his fault.
As the hour for commencing the afternoon session had arrived, he told Alfred and Oscar they might stop after school, and he would take their case into consideration.
The afternoon passed away, without any unusual occurrence.

When school was dismissed, the teacher called Alfred and Oscar to his desk, and gave them some excellent advice in regard to forming acquaintances, and yielding to the solicitations of evil associates.

He told them that the deception which had been practiced upon them, should serve as a lesson to them hereafter.

They should not form sudden acquaintances with strange and unknown boys, but should choose their associates from among those whom they knew to be of good habits.