Mr Bickers will naturally report the matter to Dr Ponsford, and I am going to the doctor for the same purpose.

I wished to consult you before taking any step, because this is a matter in which we must work together." "Certainly, sir," said Ainger, speaking for the rest.
"What I mean is, that no personal feeling must come between us and the duty we all owe to Grandcourt to see this wrong put right; you understand me ?" "Yes," said the downright Ainger; "we none of us like Mr Bickers, but we must find out the fellows who scragged him, all the same." "Exactly; and I am glad to hear you say that.

There is one other matter.

Two of you, Stafford and Felgate, recently felt specially aggrieved by something which Mr Bickers said to you.

You must forget all that now, and remember only that your duty to the whole school requires that you should do everything in your power to help to put an end to this scandal." "Of course we shall," said Felgate, curtly, in a tone which Railsford did not consider particularly encouraging.
However, having opened his mind to his lieutenants, he went away straight to the doctor's.