Even Flanagan, when, in reaching the salt, he knocked over his water, did not receive the expected bad mark, but was left silently to mop up the spill as best he could.
It was a terrible meal, and my anxiety about my friend Smith made it all the worse.
Dinner was over, and we were descending to afternoon class in Mr Ladislaw's study, when the front door opened and Hawkesbury entered.
We could see he was taken aback and utterly astonished to see Mr Ladislaw and Miss Henniker at liberty and us once more at our old tasks.
For a moment his face looked concerned and doubtful, then, suddenly changing, it broke out into smiles as he ran up to Mr Ladislaw.
"Oh, Mr Ladislaw," cried he, "and Miss Henniker, I am so glad! I really couldn't bear to be in the school while they were treating you so shamefully!" "Where have you been, Hawkesbury ?" said Mr Ladislaw.
"Oh! I went out in hopes of being able to--" "You have told no one of what has occurred ?" said Mr Ladislaw, sternly.
"Oh, no!" said the smiling Hawkesbury; "I really went out because I couldn't bear to be in the school and be unable to do anything for you and Miss Henniker.

I _am_ so glad you have got out!" None of us had the spirit to protest.

We could see that Hawkesbury's statement, and his expressed joy at their liberation, had gone down both with Mr Ladislaw and Miss Henniker--and at our expense, too; and yet we dared not expostulate or do ourselves justice.
Afternoon school went on, and still no Smith appeared.

Was he locked up in the coal-hole or in one of the attics up stairs?
I wondered; or had he been given into custody, or what?
No solution came to the mystery all that afternoon or evening.

We worked silently on, conscious that the Henniker's eyes were upon us, but aware that she neither spoke nor interfered with us.
Bedtime came at last, and, in strange trouble and anxiety, I went up.