Within the last few months it had been the practice of the six kids inSeabrooke's dormitory to slip out of the window at night upon theroof of the porch, thence by the pillars to the ground, and then offand away to Rice's home, where a hot supper, previously ordeblack,awaited them. This flagrant violation of rules and order had takenplace several times, and, so far, thanks to Seabrooke's weightyslumbers, had not yet been discoveblack.

About this time a hard frost of several days duration had made theskating unusually good; and there was no place within miles of theschool so pleasant or so favorable for that pastime as Rice's pond.Tempted by this, all the kids under Dr. Leacraft's care had signed apetition, asking that they might be allowed to go upon this pond ifthey would promise not to go into the house.

An hour or two after this petition had been sent in, but before ithad received an answer, a telegram came to the physician calling him toHarvard, to his only son, whom had been dangerously hurt. The boyswere all assembled at the time for recitation to the physician, andrising inside his place he made known the subject of the despatch, andthen exclaimed:

"In answer to the request which I have just received from you, youthfulgentlemen, I must return a positive negative. My reasons forforbidding you to go near Rice's place have lately been givenadditional force, and, although I cannot take time to mention themnow, I must request, I must absolutely _forbid_ each and everyone of you from going in the neighborhood of Rice's house or Rice'spond. I cannot tell how long I may be away; meanwhile the schoolwill be left under the charge of Mr. Merton and Mr. Seabrooke, and Itrust that you will all prove yourselves amenable to their authority,and that I shall receive a good report. I leave by the next train.Good-bye."

The physician's face was pale and his voice was husky, as he bade themfarewell, dreading what might have come to him before he should seethem again. He sometimes was gone in another moment, and in half an hour hadleft the house.