In like manner--and the
coincidence was somewhat remarkable--Charles himself now entered it,
when that same ceremony was just brought to a conclusion, only that the
back, instead of being Pierce senior's, was Gerald Yorke's. Terrible
disgrace for a senior! and Gerald wished Bywater's surplice had been at
the bottom of the river before he had meddled with it. He had not done
it purposely. He had fallen in the vestry, ink-bottle in hand, which
had broken and spilt its contents over the surplice. In an unlucky
moment, Gerald had determined to deny all knowledge of the accident,
never supposing it would be brought home to him.
Sullen, angry, and resentful, he was taking his seat again, and the
head-master, rather red and hot with exertion, was locking up the great
birch, when the door was opened, and Arthur Channing made his
appearance; a boy, carrying the college cap, with him.
The school were struck dumb. The head-master paused, birch in hand. But
that he was taller and thinner, and that the bright colour and auburn
curls were gone, they would have said at once it was Charley Channing.
The master let fall the birch and the lid of his desk. "_Channing!_" he
uttered, as the child walked up to him. "Is it really you? What has
become of you all this time? Where have you been?"
"I have been a long way in a barge, sir. The barge-man saved me. And I
have had brain fever."
He looked round for Tom; and Tom, in the wild exuberance of his
delight, took Charley in his arms, and tears dropped from his eyes as
he kissed him as warmly as Judith could have done.
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