I'm sure there did not seem to be anything offensive in this.
"I'll stay up, Jack," said I, more with a desire to avert a row than because I felt particularly "spry." "So will I," said Shankley, "if you'll dig me in the ribs when I get sleepy." "I'll tell you what," said Smith, after having recovered himself.
"Suppose we bring all the beds down and camp out on the landing." This was carried with acclamation, and every one forthwith proceeded to his dormitory, and reappeared staggering under the weight of his bedclothes.

One monstrous bed was made in which we all "camped out" in turn, one fellow only remaining awake as sentinel for an hour at a time.
"We shall have to settle to-morrow," said Smith, when he had returned to "camp," after having gone the round and seen that all lights were out, and all doors and bolts fastened--"we shall have to settle to-morrow what to say to them about coming out, you fellows." "I thought that was left to the captain," said Hawkesbury.
"I vote we stick out against the Henniker having anything to do with us," said Philpot, "in or out of school." "Yes, and do away with afternoon school and preparation too," said Rathbone; "they are both nuisances." "And get a holiday to go out of bounds once a week," said Flanagan in the act of dropping asleep.
These sweeping schemes of reform, however, agreeable as they sounded, seemed none of them likely to receive the assent of our prisoners.
Smith's idea was a good deal more moderate.

"I don't see that we can stick out for more than leave to talk when we are not in class, and do away with `detentions.'" "That really seems hardly worth all the trouble," said Hawkesbury, "does it ?" "It's left to the captain," said Smith, shortly, "and that's my idea, if you agree." "We ought to bargain they don't take any more notice of this affair, or write home about it," suggested Shankley.
"Who cares what they write home ?" scornfully inquired Smith.
"Ah, it may not matter to _you_," said Hawkesbury, smiling very sweetly, "but to all the rest of us it does." Smith glared at the speaker, and looked as if he was about to fly at his throat; but he controlled himself, and merely replied, "Very well, then, they are to promise not to say anything about it at home, as well as give in on the other things.

Is that settled ?" Everybody said "yes," and shortly afterwards most of the mutineers were peacefully asleep.
"Fred," said Smith to me that night, as we kept watch together, "unless that fellow Hawkesbury lets me alone I shall give the thing up." "Don't do that," said I.

"Really, I don't think that Hawkesbury means it.