He only wished he could guess the verdict.

But on this point he received no light, and went off presently charged with the unpleasant task of summoning his house to answer for themselves at the bar of the head- master.
It was a curious spectacle, the crowd of boys which assembled in the common room that morning at Railsford's.

Some were sulky, and resented this jumbling of the innocent and guilty.

Some were so anxious to appear guileless and gay, that they overdid it and compromised themselves in consequence.

Some were a little frightened lest an all- round flogging should be proposed.