Flora thought of the words "tete exaltee" and considered herself alone to have sober sense enough to see things in a true light--not that she went the length of believing that Norman had any underhand motives, but she thought it very discreet in her to think a prudent father would not have been satisfied with such a desire to avoid investigation.
Dr.May would not trust himself to enter on the subject with Dr.Hoxton in conversation; he only wrote a note.
"June 16th.
"Dear Dr.Hoxton, "My son has appealed to me to confirm his account of himself on Thursday evening last.

I therefore distinctly state that he came in at half-past nine, with his hands full of plants from the river, and that he then went out again, by my desire, to look for his little brother.
-- Yours very truly, R.May." A long answer came in return, disclaiming all doubt of Norman's veracity, and explaining Dr.Hoxton's grounds for having degraded him.
There had been misconduct in the school, he said, for some time past, and he did not consider that it was any very serious reproach, to a boy of Norman's age, that he had not had weight enough to keep up his authority, and had been carried away by the general feeling.

It had been necessary to make an example for the sake of principle, and though very sorry it should have fallen on one of such high promise and general good conduct, Dr.Hoxton trusted that it would not be any permanent injury to his prospects, as his talents had raised him to his former position in the school so much earlier than usual.
"The fact was," said Dr.May, "that old Hoxton did it in a passion, feeling he must punish somebody, and now, finding there's no uproar about it, he begins to be sorry.

I won't answer this note.

I'll stop after church to-morrow and shake hands, and that will show we don't bear malice." What Mr.Wilmot might think was felt by all to affect them more nearly.
Ethel wanted to hear that he declared his complete conviction of Norman's innocence, and was disappointed to find that he did not once allude to the subject.