"Mr Rebble," said the Doctor, "you came here as a gentleman to aid me
in the training of these youths. Can you do anything to help me here?"
"I--I," said Mr Rebble huskily, "would gladly do so, sir, if I could.
I wouldn't trust Dicksee's word in anything. He is as pitiful and
contemptible a boy as ever came under my charge, but I am afraid he has
spoken the truth here."
"I fear so," said the Doctor. "Mr Hasnip, you have--been but a short
time among us, still you have learned the disposition of the pupils.
Can you help me--help us?--for it is terrible to me to have to pass
judgment in such a case."
"Doctor Browne," cried Mr Hasnip warmly, and I saw the tears start to
his eyes, "I would give anything to be able to say it is all a mistake."
"But you feel that you can not?"
Mr Hasnip shook his head, and turned away to hide the working of his
face, while I stood wondering at the feeling he displayed.
There was again a painful silence, and I stood there, shrinking, but
with a hot feeling of anger swelling within me, waiting for Tom Mercer
to speak out and save me from disgrace. And with this hot tide of
bitterness and rage that I should be so doubted and suspected, came a
feeling of obstinacy that was maddening, while something within me
seemed to say, "They would not believe you if you spoke."
"No," said the Doctor at last, "I am afraid that you cannot; and I now
address myself to you, Burr junior. Do you confess that you are
guilty?"
"No, sir," I cried angrily, "I am not!" and again there was silence.
"I think I will give you time for reflection," said the Doctor. "Mr
Rebble, I place Burr junior in your charge. Of course he must be
secluded. I, too, want time for reflection before sending word to the
unhappy lad's friends--a most painful task--a most painful task."
He walked slowly toward the steps, and a fresh feeling of excitement
surged up within me. I wanted to speak now--to say something in my own
defence, as I thought of the Doctor's letter going to my mother, and of
her agony, then of my uncle learning this, and coming over. It seemed
too terrible, and I tried to call the Doctor back, but no words would
come. I saw him descend slowly, and Mr Hasnip sign to the boys to
follow, after which, giving me a sad look, he too descended, leaving me
alone with Mr Rebble, whose first words were so stern and harsh that I
could not turn to him and confide and ask his sympathy and help.
"This way, sir," he said sharply, and without a word I followed him down
and across the stable-yard, passing cook at the door ready to give me a
pitying glance for being in disgrace.
Then, as if it was all a dream, I was led into the house, and up-stairs
to a small room containing only one bed--a room whose window looked out
away toward the General's estates.
The door was closed behind me without a word, and as I stood there I
heard it locked and the key withdrawn, followed by Mr Rebble's
footsteps along the passage, and then I threw myself down on the bed in
a passion of rage against Mercer.
"You coward!" I cried, and as I ground my teeth I indulged in a wish
that I could have him there.
"Oh!" I cried, "only for half an hour, and then--" I did not finish my
sentence, but bounded off the bed to stand up there alone, unconsciously
enough in the position Lomax had taught me, and with my left hand raised
to strike.