If any trouble is to come, I think I can take care of it.

Anyway, I won't have anyone else dragged into it." But the principal said nothing more during that school session.
In the afternoon, however, when Mr.Cantwell took his accustomed walk after dinner, he met several acquaintances who made laughing or casual references to the yarn in the morning's "Blade." "I've got to stamp this spirit out in the school," decided the principal, again at a white heat.

"If I don't I'll soon have some real trouble on hand with these young jackanapes! The idea of their making me---the principal---ridiculous in the town! No school principal can submit to hoaxes like that one without suffering in public esteem.

I'll sift this matter down and nip the whole spirit in the bud." In this Mr.Cantwell was quite possibly at error in judgment.
Probably the High School boys wouldn't have played such a prank on good old Dr.Thornton, had he still been their school chief.
But, if they had, Dr.Thornton would have admitted the joke good-humoredly and would have taken outside chaffing with a good nature that would have disarmed all wit aimed at him.

Mr.Cantwell, as will be seen, lacked the saving grace of a sense of humor.