But I was not to be put off; I took a seat and continued-- "I met him and didn't know who he was, and I mentioned that I'd come from here, and that a tea was going on, and that Crofter was out of it, and the reason was because Tempest thought him a beast.

And--I'm awfully sorry, Tempest--I let out to him that we'd been expelled from Dangerfield, and I'd not the least idea it was him." "He," suggested Pridgin.
"He; and I've just been writing to him to explain." "Rather a tough job, eh ?" said Tempest.
"You may see the letter," said I.
The two seniors read it with a gravity which scarcely seemed genuine.
"I think it may pass," said Tempest, coming out at last with a laugh.
"There are only about twelve 'he's' and 'him's' in it, and as it will be absolutely unintelligible it can't possibly do harm." "If Crofter has the least sense of literary taste, he will frame it," said Pridgin.

"I trust no dogs' deaths will occur here." My confusion was tempered by the relief I felt that they took my indiscretion in such good part, and saw only--what I failed to see myself--the humorous side of the incident.
I begged hard to be allowed to tear up my letter, but this they would by no means allow.

On the contrary, I was compelled to address it and stamp it then and there, and place it in the post-box in the hall.
Then, with compliments and good wishes, I was dismissed to bed, and left the two friends talking school politics.
I felt a good deal more humbled by the manner in which they had received my confession than if they had, as I had expected, roundly abused me.
To be let down easy, as if I was barely responsible for my actions, was not conducive to my vanity; and if that was the object they had in view, it was amply attained.

I went to bed on my second night at Low Heath with as little vanity in me as I could decently do with; and even that, as I lay awake for an hour or two, oozed away, and did not return till in a happy moment I fell asleep, and once more, and for a few unconscious hours, became a hero to myself.
The next morning I tumbled out of bed at the call of the bell in no very light-hearted way.