I tried to explain as much.
"Of course," said he, "it is a very neat way of ignoring my authority.
I expect you to come to me.

I shall not refuse any reasonable request, but I'm not going to be insulted in my own house." "But--" said I.
"There is no 'but' about it.

If you want to prevent your being shown up to your friend as an amiable young swindler, you can stop it by undertaking that you and your lot will do what I tell you.

If not, it is your own look-out, that's all." Luckily the school bell enabled me to get away without giving any pledge.

Fool as I was, I knew what all this meant.