[Illustration]
Oscar came up wagging his tail, and looking as pleased as if he had
restored obedience to a flock of unruly sheep. I shrank back from
Scroggie, wishing Turkey, who was still at the other end of the
bridge, would make haste.
"Wasn't it fun, Ranald?" said Scroggie. "You don't think I was so lame
that I couldn't get over that gate? I stuck on purpose."
Turkey joined us with an inquiring look, for he knew how Scroggie had
been in the habit of treating me.
"It's all right, Turkey," I said. "Scroggie stuck on the gate on
purpose."
"A good thing for you, Ranald!" said Turkey. "Didn't you see Peter
Mason amongst them?"
"No. He left the school last year."
"He was there, though, and I don't suppose _he_ meant to be
agreeable."
"I tell you what," said Scroggie: "if you like, I'll leave my school
and come to yours. My mother lets me do as I like."
I thanked him, but said I did not think there would be more of it. It
would blow over.
Allister told my father as much as he knew of the affair; and when he
questioned me, I told him as much as I knew.
The next morning, just as we were all settling to work, my father
entered the school. The hush that followed was intense. The place
might have been absolutely empty for any sound I could hear for some
seconds. The ringleaders of my enemies held down their heads, as
anticipating an outbreak of vengeance.
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