It is improper that the discussion upon this point should take place before him." "May I stay in the room, mother ?" asked Godfrey, who was alarmed lest he should miss the spectacle of Mr.Stone's humiliation.
"I really don't see why not," returned his mother.
"Madam," said Mr.Stone, rising, "I will bid you good-evening." "What, sir; before we have spoken on the subject ?" "I distinctly decline to speak before your son, for the reasons already given." "This is very singular, sir.

However, I will humor your whims.
Godfrey, you may leave the room." "Can't I stay ?" "I am compelled to send you out." Godfrey went out, though with a very ill grace.
"Now, madam," said the teacher, "I have no objection to telling you that I first reprimanded your son for brutal treatment of a younger schoolmate, and then forcibly carried him back to his seat, when he endeavored to leave the schoolroom without my permission." It was Mrs.Preston's turn to be surprised.

She had expected to overawe the teacher, and instead of that found him firmly and independently defending his course.
"Mr.Stone," she said, "my son tells me that you praised an Irish boy in your school for a violent and brutal assault which he made upon him." "I did not praise him for that.

I praised him for promptly interfering to prevent Godfrey from abusing a boy smaller and younger than himself." "Godfrey had good cause for punishing the boy you refer to.

He acted in self-defense." "He has doubtless misrepresented the affair to you, madam, as he did to me." "You take this Andrew Burke's word against his ?" "I form my judgment upon the testimony of an eyewitness, and from what I know of your son's character." "From your own statement, this low Irish boy----" "To whom do you refer, madam ?" "To the Irish boy." "I have yet to learn that he is low." "Do you mean to compare him with my son ?" "In wealth, no.