Ned Sankey had said nothing at home as to his troubles. His father
noticed that he ran off again as soon as his dinner was over, and
that he no longer said anything as to the sports in which he was
engaged in playtime; also, that his lessons occupied him from tea
time until he went up to bed.
"Anything is better than this," Ned said one day to some of the
boys of his own age. "In my opinion it's better to have a regular
row. What Room said was quite true; we shall get the worst of it;
but the story will then come out, and it will be seen what a beastly
tyranny we have been undergoing. I tell you, I for one will not
stand it any longer, so here goes," and he threw his book up into
a tree, in whose branches it securely lodged.
His comrades followed his example, and the news that Sankey and some
of the other fellows were determined to put up with it no longer
soon spread, and in five minutes not a book was to be seen in the
playground. The spirit of resistance became strong and general,
and when the bell rang the boys walked into the schoolroom silent
and determined, but looking far less moody and downcast than usual.
Mr. Hathorn took his seat at his desk.
"The first class will come up and say their tasks."
Not a boy moved in his seat.
"The first class will come up and say their tasks," the master
repeated, bringing his cane down with angry emphasis on the desk.
Pages:
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71