Tom gazed round in despair, he could not see his brother's face, but Edward Anderson, from the second form, returned him a glance of contemptuous encouragement.
"This book," said Mr.Harrison, "was left in school for a quarter of an hour yesterday.

When I opened it again, it was in this condition.

Do any of you know how it happened ?" A silence, and he continued, "Who was in school at this time?
Anderson junior, can you tell me anything of it ?" "No, sir." "You know nothing of it ?" "No, sir." Cold chills crept over Tom, as Mr.Harrison looked round to refresh his memory.

"Larkins, do you know how this happened ?" "No, sir," said Larkins boldly, satisfying his conscience because he had not seen the manner of the overthrow.
"Ernescliffe, were you there ?" "No, sir." Tom's timid heart fluttered in dim hope that he had been overlooked, as Mr.Harrison paused, then said, "Remember, it is concealment that is the evil, not the damage to the book.

I shall have a good opinion ever after of a boy honest enough to confess, May junior, I saw you," he added, hopefully and kindly.