I think he thought that Rufus had jumped down; for, fearing the teacher's wrath, the frightened boy scrambled to his feet and, with a cry, started to run out of school.
With one long stride the master had him by the arm.

"I don't quite know what I shall do to you," he said, as he brought the boy back.
He shook Rufus until the little fellow's teeth chattered and his eyes rolled; and while he shook him, he seemed to be reflecting what new punishment he could devise for this rebellious attempt.
To the utter amazement of us all, Catherine, who was sitting directly in front of them, suddenly spoke out.
"Mr.Brench," she cried, "you are a hard, cruel man!" The master was so astounded that he let go of Rufus and stared down at her.

"Stand up!" he commanded, no longer in his soft tone, but in a terrible voice.
Catherine stood up promptly, unflinching; her eyes, blazing with indignation, looked squarely into his.
"Let me see your hand," he said.
Instead of one hand, Catherine instantly thrust out both, under his very nose.
"Ferule me!" she cried.

"Ferule both my hands, Mr.Brench! Ferule me all you want to! I don't care how hard you strike! But you are a bad, cruel man, and I hate you!" Still holding the ruler, Czar Brench gazed at her for some moments in silence; he seemed almost dazed.
"You are the first scholar that ever spoke to me like that," he said at last.

A singular expression had come into his face; he was having a new experience.