Part 10 (1/2)
Not wis.h.i.+ng to give the Hall a bad name d.i.c.k deemed it advisable to say nothing about the fact that Sam had been locked in an ice-cold room without his overcoat or hat, and merely stated that his brother had exposed himself.
”He has a very heavy cold,” said the doctor, after an examination. ”If let run, it would have become serious, beyond a doubt; but I feel confident I can check it,” and he left some medicine and some plasters.
As soon as the doctor was gone d.i.c.k announced his intention of returning to Putnam Academy. ”The captain has got back, and I want to lay the whole case before him, and do it, too while Sam is still sick.”
”Shall I go along?” asked Tom.
”No, I'll go alone. They may need you here on Sam's account.”
d.i.c.k was soon on the way, riding another horse, for the Stanhopes now kept two. He had had a fine dinner, and felt in the best of spirits, despite the disagreeable task before him. He did not doubt for a moment but that Captain Putnam would side with him and condemn the actions of Jasper Grinder.
He was still out of sight of the Hall when he saw Peleg Snuggers riding toward him in the captain's cutter.
”Is that you, Master Rover!” sang out the man of all work. ”Where are your brothers?”
”Safe, Snuggers. Has the captain got back?”
”Yes--got in a couple of hours ago.”
”Has he said anything about our going away?”
”Said anything? Just guess he has. Why, the whole school is so upset n.o.body knows what he is doing. Do you know what happened after you and your brothers ran away?”
”Of course I don't. What did happen?”
”Mr. Grinder had a terrible row with more than a dozen of the boys, who sided with what you had done. He got awfully mad at them, and was going to cane the lot, when all of a sudden he fell down in a fit, just like he was going to die, and we had to work over him most an hour before we could bring him around.”
CHAPTER VIII.
JASPER GRINDER IS DISMISSED.
d.i.c.k was greatly surprised over the news which Peleg Snuggers conveyed to him. He knew that Jasper Grinder was an intensely pa.s.sionate man when aroused, as on the occasion of the attempted caning, but he had not imagined that the man would fall into a fit while in such a condition.
”Did he come out of the fit all right?” he questioned soberly.
”When he came around he was as weak as a rag, and I and one of the big boys had to help him up to his room. He stayed there the rest of the evening, and the other teachers had to take charge.”
”What do they say about the matter?”
”As soon as the captain got back all of 'em got in the private office and held a long talk. Then the captain had a talk with Mr. Grinder, and after that the captain sent me off to look for you. He said you must be at the Lanings, or at Mrs. Stanhope's, or else somewhere in Cedarville.”
”We are stopping with Mrs. Stanhope. Sam is sick with a heavy cold.”
”It's not to be wondered at. Master Tubbs has a cold, too, and the captain had Mrs. Green give him some medicine for it.”
”Has he punished Tubbs?”
”No. He's awfully upset, and I don't think he'll do anything right away,” concluded the general utility man.
The cutter was turned around, and d.i.c.k and Snuggers hurried toward the Hall. Their coming was noticed by a score of boys who were s...o...b..lling each other oh the parade ground, and a shout went up.