At one end was the master's throne, and facing it, all down the room, were desks and benches, along which the boys were sitting at work.

Every one knows how very confusing it is to enter a strange room full of strange people, and especially when you enter it from a darker passage.

Eric felt dazzled, and not seeing the regular route to the master's desk, went towards it between two of the benches.

As these were at no great distance from each other, he stumbled against several legs on his way, and felt pretty sure that they were put out on purpose to trip him, especially by one boy, who, pretending to be much hurt, drew up his leg, and began rubbing it, ejaculating _sotto voce_, "awkward little fool." In this very clumsy way he at last reached the desk, and presented his missive.

The master's eye was on him, but all Eric had time to observe was, that he looked rather stern, and had in his hand a book which he seemed to be studying with the deepest interest.