It was almost a relief when first school was over, and all those who had impositions to write were ordered to keep their places and begin their tasks.
What venom of wrath and disappointment could they not put into those unlucky lines! If the paper had only been the skin of the Radical Cheeseman, and the pens needles, _how_ they would have delighted in their penalty! Scarcely had they begun work, however, when the school messenger came round unexpectedly to summon the whole school to assemble in the Great Hall.

What could it be?
Was it another lecture?
or had the doctor repented of letting them off so easy?
Or was there to be another change in the captaincy?
or what?
The hall soon filled, and every one waited impatiently for the doctor.
He arrived presently, with a letter in his hand and a somewhat important look on his face.
"The last time I spoke in this room," said he, "I had to discharge the painful duty of punishing the whole school for a serious and inexcusable act of insubordination." "Why do they always call it a _painful_ duty ?" inquired the artless Telson of his ally; "I'm sure it doesn't hurt _them_." "Silence! whoever is speaking!" said the doctor, sternly.

"I hope what was said then will not be forgotten.

An act of that kind could not possibly be allowed to pass without punishment, and any repetition of it would entail the severest measures.

However, I say no more of that at present.