The Island School — page 121: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ieag tana with a Pre archoneicn that arose from the i ie alteration i in the demeanour of Mr. Groby. a et: At present it was inexplicable to him. ga The appearance of the changed man cut short the discussion going on by the boys. He came straight . wards them and curtly asked Jim to walk a short t to i, "distance with him. et ie a You boys need not linger here,” he said to the rest. aN ‘They strolled off, muttering among themselves that — “ Jim was in for a wigging for something ;” and Jim a himself, with a similar conviction in his breast, accom- at “panied Mr. Groby along the beach. ke iy ; _ “Gordon,” said the latter, suddenly, “you take too it) Bi) ak much upon yourself.” ea ca “T am very sorry, Sy answered Jim, “but I had no intention of doing so.’ ‘| “ae _“ Intention is difficult to prove, in some cases,” was i the seilgeaitla: ; “anyway, you have been too officious, ah assuming that you are a sort of protector to Miss ‘ Farrell, and disparaging others who are more fitted to act as a protector to her.” a dim started, and looked up at the set face of the is ‘man of thirty-odd, who had suddenly and weakly ‘A ae it given a clue to the mainspring of the change within he “He did not return the boy’s gaze, but walked on, a _ staring straight ahead. Rs Ue By George!” thought Jim, “he is i love with Eveline.” — # It is extremely improbable,’ continued Mr, Groby, after a long silence, “that Mr. Farrell will ever return here. It learn from his wife he is a man of means, te 3 and I know from my own observation that he is & on selfish, and a coward. He will, in all _ likelihood, give us up for lost, and live away in some quiet place, making the best he can of the loss of his _ wife and daughter. That is also Mrs. Farrell’s view, i, and as I do not entertain his fears, I shall endeavour to carry on the school.” _ Jim made no reply. He was too much astounded = to say aword. It was clear to him that Mr. Groby, ue for his own ends, had succeeded in gaining a great fe amount of influence over Mrs. Farrell; but it was “equally clear that he had failed to do so with Eve- line. Wie P esraniee his address to Jim, the new. epemted ; me head of the school said : ; "search a your friend ee GH GN ‘i ie Meanwhile ‘Tat wee Beet eniniens of going to the. | ours \ ate assistance of Morse, but that intention received a i _ sudden o check. 4 anh y against the authority of the new head of the school. eT guess it is your intention, Garden to go in | . on ey J LS oad Ue mie Y} Aut) “ Hea ebiari murn Jim. Hy Another instance of ine: Petts nl dh: j have of doing things ee oneul a nae ony OUL ean ¥ . . Peer baby. “h i? 5 My . superiors.” MCA ety HOS) ie “T did not think it yes necessary until a aa de my arrangements, sir.” ee! be Re i “You know you did not intend to consult me at Hi BS ‘y Hist 1 Ue was silent. | Dis Nel ae A “You have been guilty of so many outages . breaches of discipline,” continued Mr. Groby, ‘ “tha I feel it imperative to show my displeasure by pt nish ae ing you. For a week you will be confined in | the ‘i building we call the post-office. I have that ¢ obs | 4 fidence in you which enables me to take your word — st that you will not leave without permission. _ “You: w vil be allowed an hour's exercise in the morning, and the e- same in the evening. Bedding and othe necessaries will be placed there for you at once.” H age ray is ‘i is “T should like to point out to you, sir, that i i is absolutely necessary, in my opinion, that somebo y my should go to the help of Morse,” said Jim. a i “Morse can take care of himself,” was the | cor ol ‘ reply. 2 “Well, he may come home all right, sir,’ said Jin Fim. oo, “Tf he does not, the consequent rest mayo your hk head.” ee “You are impertinent. Go to your we of con- * | finement, instantly. But first give me ute wor rd that you will make no attempt to Bee BWA. oh ‘“‘ And if I refuse, sir ?” ie si Fs Afoas ures will be taken to ensure oan safe-kee} ing.” / Ag BE “T will give it for twenty-four hours,” said Ji Jim, and 1 a raising his cap, he walked off to his place of ‘confine- ; ment. i ye ee Jim was in a boiling rage, and he olde only ace i cept the position at present, for he could not tell oi how far he might rely upon assistance if he rele) i : He had the countenance of Mrs. Farrell, and, in \ addition, he was a man who had a certain coum | ing power that would influence those around him. It - was not to be expected that all would look at matters — in the light Jim did, or, if it were so, that + they would i be prepared to act as he desired them todo. __ pat he It was a difficult, complex position, and the boy met it very well, compromising matters by ae Riek parole for twenty-four hours. “4 a The tidings of Mr. Groby being appoated € re take the school in hand did not surprise many, | for he, a above all the masters, seemed most fitted for the post. But when it was known that Jim- was (eae ea con- /