The occasion was as when the judge puts on the black cap before passing sentence of death.
"Meanwhile the house will cease to dine in Hall, but will dine in this room at one o'clock daily; and on Saturdays, instead of taking the half- holiday in the afternoon, you will take it in the morning, and assemble for school at twelve o'clock.

I still trust that there may be sufficient self-respect among you to make this change only of slight duration; or that," and here the doctor's tone grew bitter, and his mouth gathered sarcastically--"at least self-interest may come to your assistance, and make it possible to return to the old order." And he stalked from the room.
"Let us off easy, eh ?" said the baronet.
"Easy ?" fumed Arthur; "he might as well have given us a bit of rope a- piece and told us to go and hang ourselves! Look at Ainger; do you suppose _he_ thinks we've been let off easy ?" The captain's face left no doubt on that question..