Why ?" "Why, some fellow has been writing up an opinion of Gordon not very favorable." "And serve him right, too, brute!" said Eric, smarting with the memory of his imposition.
"Well, there'll be no end of a row; you'll see." During this conversation, Dr.Rowlands came in with Mr.Rose.He read the paper, frowned, pondered a moment, and then said to Mr.Rose--"Would you kindly summon the lower school into the hall?
As it would be painful to Mr.Gordon to be present, you had better explain to him how matters stand." "Halloa! here's a rumpus!" whispered Montagu; "he never has the lower school down for nothing." A noise was heard on the stairs, and in flocked the lower school.

When they had ranged themselves on the vacant forms, there was a dead silence and hush of expectation.
"I have summoned you all together," said the Doctor, "on a most serious occasion.

This morning, on coming into the school-room, the masters found that the notice-board had been abused for the purpose of writing up an insult to one of our number, which is at once coarse and wicked.
As only a few of you have seen it, it becomes my deeply painful duty to inform you of its purport; the words are these--'Gordon is a surly devil.'"-- A _very_ slight titter followed this statement, which was instantly succeeded by a sort of thrilling excitement; but Eric, when he heard the words, started perceptibly, and colored as he caught Montagu's eye fixed on him.
Dr.Rowlands continued--"I suppose this dastardly impertinence has been perpetrated by some boy out of a spirit of revenge.

I am perfectly amazed at the unparalleled audacity and meanness of the attempt, and it may be very difficult to discover the author of it.

But, depend upon it, discover him _we will_, at whatever cost.