They didn't profess to understand the meaning of it all, but they could see that the master had sacrificed something to do them justice, and with the native chivalry of boys, they made his cause theirs, and did all they could to cover his retreat.
Two days later, a letter by the post was brought in to Mr Ashford in the middle of school.
Coote's face grew crimson as he saw it, and the faces of his companions grew long and solemn.

A sudden silence fell on the room, broken only by the rustle of the paper as the master tore open the envelope and produced the printed document.

His eyes glanced hurriedly down it, and a shade of trouble crossed his brow.
"We're gone coons," groaned Heathcote.
"Don't speak to me," said Dick.
Coote said nothing, but wished one of the windows was open on a hot day like this.
"This paper contains the result of the entrance examination at Templeton," said Mr Ashford.

"Out of thirty-six candidates, Heathcote has passed fifteenth, and Richardson twenty-first.

Coote, I am sorry to say, has not passed.".