But the help is easy to get, isn't it ?" I need not repeat all the talk that took place that morning between the two boys.

What they said was meant for no ears but their own.

How one in his quiet manly way tried to help the younger boy, and how the other with all sorts of fears and hopes listened and took courage, was known only to the two friends themselves, and to One other from Whom no secrets--not even the secrets of a schoolboy--are hid.
The bell for call-over put an end to their talk, and with lighter hearts than most in Willoughby they walked across to the Great Hall and heard the doctor's sentence on the truants of yesterday.
It was not very formidable.

No half-holiday next Wednesday, and for the seniors a hundred lines of Greek to write out; for the Limpets a hundred lines of Latin, and for the juniors fifty lines of Latin.

The doctor had evidently taken a lenient view of the case, regarding the escapade more as a case of temporary insanity than of determined disobedience.
However, he relieved his mind by a good round lecture, to which the school listened most resignedly.
There was, however, one part of the punishment which fell heavily on a few of those present.