Page:Stalky and co - Kipling (1908).djvu/133

Rh 'I maintain that Gillett is wrong. True, I let them return to their study.'

'With your known views on cribbing, too?' purred little Hartopp. 'What an immoral compromise!'

'One moment,' said the Reverend John. 'I—we—all of us have exercised an absolutely heartbreaking discretion for the last ten days. Now we want to know. Confess—have you known a happy minute since'

'As regards my house, I have not,' said Prout 'But you are entirely wrong in your estimate of those boys. In justice to the others—in self-defence'

'Ha! I said it would come to that,' murmured the Reverend John.

'I was forced to send them back. Their moral influence was unspeakable—simply unspeakable.'

And bit by bit he told his tale, beginning with Beetle's usury, and ending with the house-prefect's appeal.

'Beetle in the rôle of Shylock is new to me,' said King, with twitching lips. 'I heard rumours of it'

'Before!' said Prout.

'No, after you had dealt with them; but I was careful not to inquire. I never interfere with' 'I myself,' said Hartopp, 'would cheerfully give him five shillings if he could work out one simple sum in compound interest without three gross errors.' 'Why—why—why!' Mason, the