The Jester of St. Timothy's

ndows overlooked the pond behind the Gymnasium. The teacher's desk was on a platform in the corner; a blackboard extende

oo, he felt, an air of subdued, joyous expectancy. He took his seat and, adjusting his spectacles, peered round the r

of the class; eve

he Fifth Theorem; Dennison, you the Sixth; Westby, you the E

back turned, he heard some whispering; he looked over his shoulder. Westby was lin

sharp,-"were you trying to

Westby's answ

longer, please; go to

s,

f the room-the one at right angles to that o

ing figures on the blackboard, using the long pointers for rulers and making beautiful circles by means of chalk attached to pieces of string. A glance at Westby showed that youth apparently intent upo

nto a cough, caused him to look up. Morrill, with his mouth hidden behind his han

ical symbols A, B, C, and so on, he was skipping about through the alphabet, and Irving immediately perceived that he was not choosing let

n of them-leaped from its place on the shelf beneath the blackboard and tumbled clattering down the steps to the floor. At the same i

ass gi

the earthquake? It was very noticeable on this side of the room. Do you

that for the moment quieted the laughter, "d

? I don't understand, sir. How coul

of those era

of snapping string. Then he came

ving examined the fragment that still clung to the

ll it. Didn't you feel the earthquake, sir? Didn't you see how it almost t

o you soon," said Irving, and the subdued chuckle that went round the class told

by turned and to

The class tittered; Westby went on glibly, bending the lath-like pointer between his hands: "Let us now erect the angle K I D, equal

urprised, questioning look

from his seat; his lips were trembling, and the laughter of the c

r had rushed to the surface, and his words came in

I don't think I quite under

l enough. I ask you

mless-do not commend themselves to you. But you hurt my feelings very much

rving; in his excitement his voice rose t

lew the dust from his fingers, and walked towards his

t do you mean! I told

sneer; for the first time the boy was displaying contem

row of his classmates, took up his cap, and retraced his steps towards the door. Irving stood watching him, with lips compresse

ous titter. He went out of the door doing the sailor's hornpipe,-right hand on stomach, left hand on back, left hand on stomach, ri

ing, and he felt weak. When he spoke, he hardly knew h

o to the board and dem

ew that he had lost command of his temper; he regretted the manner in which he had stormed at Westby; but he thought nevertheless that the treatment had been effective and therefore not entirely to be deplored. The boys had thought him soft; he had shown them tha

ell in with Barclay, who was

ty one can inflict on a bo

le act?" as

hers-insolence, disobedience,

arclay glanced at him wit

r that happens to a boy two or three times, the rector is likely to take a hand.-If you d

invite questioning, and he did not confide to Barcla

the last hour; but after going through five or six of them, his mind wandered; it reverted uneasily to the thought of his future relations with those boys. He rose and paced about the room, and hardened his heart. He would be just as strict and stern and sev

his incompetence when confronted with a roast of beef! Each incident that recurred to him was of a kind to bring with it the sting of mortification; his cheeks tin

e had confessed himself the incapable one who had sent out the mutilated beef to be carved, she was most reassuring in her speech, and taking the cold remains of a similar cut from the ice chest, she gav

ng some imaginary passes. "The fork so-the knife so. And you will

and he extravagantly left he

the boys came tramping up the stairs and past Irving's closed door. Soon also a racketing began in the corridors; Irving suspected an intention to bait him still fur

ennison were gathered. The forward pass was new in football this year, and although the playing season had not yet begun, Irving had already seen fellows practicing for it, in front of the Study and behind the dormitory. Colling

t the wall and bounced down at Collingwood's feet. Collingwood seized it and was poising it in his hand

f that, Co

ned eagerly

you. You take it this way, along the lacings-the trouble is, my hand's

Collingwood had adopted Westby's method and was

d went into his room, clo

itude of one about to throw. On his face was an expression of utter amazement, which rapidly gave place to i

t with all his strength at the master's door. It went straight to the mark, crashed

e door and came

as quivering as it had quivered that mor

said Co

ort you. I will have no

fellows at the other end of the corridor had stood agha

, and when Morrill and Dennison were for expres

ng preserved his dignity by returning an unflinching look. Westby made no further overtures for a while; the other boys chattered a

s a dog, and he must be doing one of two things; either he's running or he'

e so," sa

refore-he is running. How do

other boys were thinking i

lternative for running is not running. There

" answered Westby. "That's just mak

he's running; he's not not-running

avel that is not not-running to catch a dog

"That's a problem that you might wo

re than half repented of his speech; he knew

ravagant air of quiet. When they went down to supper, they tiptoed past Irving's room in single file, saying in unison, "Sh! Sh! Sh!" They all joi

usually did, but in a delegation, expectant and amused. Westby and Collin

reprobates or not," said Westby. "We thought it wasn't q

then with the others, saying good-night to each; as they left him, they tiptoed to their rooms. He thought grimly th

were privileged to study in their rooms and therefore had no desks in the schoolroom, occupied the stalls along the wall under the big clock. Last of all the rector entered and, mounting the platform, read the

the Study. The boys assembled; Irving rang the bell, reducing them to quiet; Dr. Davenport came in, mou

sheet; tardy to breakfast-" and so on. None of the offenses were very serious; and the rector read them out rapidly. But at last he paused a moment; and then, looking up

be charged with such offenses and condemned to such punishment was rare: for Collingwood,

s, turned red; Westby, standing by the door, looked at him and smiled. At the same time,

you about those last two reports-

he rector's manner

the aisle. As he approached, he looked straight at Westby; and

e doorway; the Sixth Form fo

O