I only called him Marky, because he's my brother-in-law--I mean he's going to be." "That's right, Mr Bickers," said the baronet, nobly backing up his friend; "he's spoo-- I mean he's engaged to Daisy, Herapath's sister." "Silence, sir," said the master with a curl of his lips.

"Herapath, come here, and hold out your hand." So saying, he took up a ruler from a desk close at hand.
"Please, sir," expostulated Arthur--he didn't mind a cane, but had a rooted objection to rulers--"I really didn't--" "Hold out your hand, sir!" There was no denying Mr Bickers.

Arthur held out his hand, and was there and then, before half his house, admonished six times consecutively, with an emphasis which brought the tears fairly into his hardened eyes.
"Now go, all of you, to your studies, and continue your preparation.

I shall remain in the house till Mr Railsford returns, and report what has occurred to him." When half an hour later the Master of the Shell, full of his athletic prospects, returned to his quarters, he was gratified as well as surprised by the dead silence which reigned, His astonishment was by no means diminished when on entering the common room he encountered Mr Bickers pacing up and down the floor amidst the scared juniors there assembled.
Railsford, with all his follies, was a man of quick perception, and took in the whole situation at a glance.

He understood why Mr Bickers was there, and why the place was so silent.