The matter of the monitors I cannot reconsider.

I may suggest that, after what has happened, it would be a graceful act on the part of the boys to send Mr Cheeseman a letter of thanks, at any rate, if not of apology.

You are now dismissed." It was quite evident that the majority of the boys were at a loss how to take this strange and unexpected announcement.

True, they hated the Radicals, but they also hated impositions and detention, and the probability is that, if left to themselves, they would quietly have availed themselves of Mr Cheeseman's clemency.
But to the small band of hot-headed enthusiasts the very notion of being under an obligation to the Radical was repulsive.

They could scarcely wait till the doctor had departed before they vehemently denounced the idea.
"Well," said Merrison, "if that's not what you call adding insult to injury, I don't know what you do! I know _I_ mean to write every letter of my impot if it was a thousand lines instead of a hundred!" "So shall I; and I'll not stir out of doors all Wednesday afternoon either," said another.
"Of course not; no honourable fellow would." "I suppose he thinks he's going to bribe us, the cad.