Page:Dave Porter at Oak Hall.djvu/275

Rh then stopped short. He knew it would be useless to try to defend himself in the eyes of the second assistant.

"Come down to Dr. Clay's office," thundered the teacher. "Come down, all of you."

There was no help for it, and in a few minutes more the three students were in the office, and the doctor was listening to what his assistant had to say. Then, much to that individual's astonishment, he told Job Haskers he might go.

"But, Dr. Clay——"

"You can go. I will settle this myself," said the doctor, and the assistant walked out, much chagrined, for he had hoped to remain and see Dave punished.

Neither Dave nor Plum was in the best of condition, so far as appearances went. The bully had a black eye and a cut chin, while Dave's nose was swollen and his collar and necktie were torn. Dr. Clay looked from one to the other curiously, and also at Macklin, who was trembling.

"You must have had quite a fight," said he, shortly. "Who struck the first blow?"

"He did," said Plum, pointing to Dave. "And abused Macklin, too; didn't he, Chip?"

"He did."

"What have you to say, Porter?"

"Dr. Clay, will you allow me to tell my whole story?" asked the country boy, earnestly. "I