I shall punish you according to my notion of your degrees of guilt.

Brigson, bring me a cane from that desk." He brought it.
"Hold out your hand." The cane fell, and instantly split up from top to bottom.

Mr.Rose looked at it, for it was new that morning.
"Hah! I see; more mischief; there is a hair in it." The boys were too much frightened to smile at the complete success of the trick.
"Who did this?
I must be told at once." "I did, sir," said Wildney, stepping forward.
"Ha! very well," said Mr.Rose, while, in spite of his anger, a smile hovered at the corner of his lips.

"Go and borrow me a cane from Mr.Harley." While he went there was unbroken silence.
"Now, sir," said he to Brigson, "I shall flog you." Corporal punishment was avoided with the bigger boys, and Brigson had never undergone it before.

At the first stroke he writhed and yelled; at the second he retreated, twisting like a serpent, and blubbering like a baby; at the third he flung himself on his knees, and, as the strokes fell fast, clasped Mr.Rose's arm, and implored and besought for mercy.
"_Miserable_ coward," said Mr.Rose, throwing into the word such ringing scorn that no one who heard it ever forgot it.