Part 21 (1/2)
”Then, what was it?”
”If you don't mind, sir, I'd like to have you ask Alfred Parker.”
”Alfred Parker,” called out the teacher, ”come forward.”
Alfred obeyed.
”Do you know why Andrew attacked G.o.dfrey Preston?”
”Yes, sir; it was on my account.”
”On your account! Explain.”
”This morning, before school, I was playing with another boy, and accidentally ran into G.o.dfrey. He got mad, and threw me over violently. Then he pressed his knee on my breast till I could hardly breathe. I begged him to let me up, but he would not, though he knew that it was only an accident. While I was lying on the ground, Andy Burke came up. He no sooner saw me than he ran up, and threw G.o.dfrey off, and got on him in the same manner, and I think he served him right.”
As he uttered these last words, G.o.dfrey scowled ominously, but Andy's face brightened up. He was glad that Alfred was brave enough to speak up for him.
”This alters the case considerably,” said the teacher. ”Is there any other boy who witnessed the affair, and can substantiate what has been said? If so, let him raise his hand.”
Herman Reynolds raised his hand.
”Well, Herman, what do you know about it? Were you present?”
”Yes, sir, I was. It was just as Alfred said it was.”
”What have you to say, G.o.dfrey?” asked Mr. Stone, sternly.
”I don't mean to be insulted by an Irish boy,” said G.o.dfrey, haughtily.
”Remember where you are, sir, and speak in a more becoming manner. Did you attack Alfred Parker, as he says?”
”He had no business to run into me.”
”Answer my question.”
”Yes, I did.”
”And did you kneel on his breast?”
”Yes.”
”Oblige me by saying, 'Yes, sir.'”
”Yes, sir,” said G.o.dfrey, reluctantly.
”Why do you complain, then, of being treated in a similar manner by Andrew?”
”He has no business to touch me.”
”If he had not interfered when he saw you maltreating his young schoolfellow, I should have been ashamed of him,” said the teacher.