Wales slammed his door in my face.

When I appeared in the preparation hall, a long hiss saluted me, even though Mr Sharpe was present.

Even outside fellows seemed to have heard of my crime, and looked askance or gave me a wide berth.

I can truly say that I found myself the most miserable boy in Low Heath, and only longed for the end of the term to come, that I might shake the dust of the hateful place from my feet, and drop out of the sight of a school full of enemies.
Indeed, as I lay awake that night I had serious thoughts of making off there and then.

If I had only had my boots, I think I might have done so; but they were in the blacking-room; and my desperation drew the line at walking off in my bare feet.
I was sitting up in bed, half whimpering with headache and misery, when a light appeared at the end of the dormitory.