“Well, how’s the cheating going on?”

Since I was not allowed to prevaricate, all that remained for me to do was to return no reply.  But there was stubbornness in my silence; I should have liked to say pettishly:  “But you won’t let me explain, you won’t let me explain.”

And then—­quickly—­Radley grasped me by the elbow and looked straight down at me.  For a second I resisted and tried to pull the elbow away.  His grip, however, was too strong, and I yielded.

I know now that his feeling for all the boys, as he gazed down upon them from his splendid height, was love—­a strong, active love.  We were young, human things, of soft features gradually becoming firmer as of shallow characters gradually deepening.  And he longed to be in it all—­at work in the deepening.  We were his hobby.  I have met many such lovers of youth.  Indeed, I think this is a book about them.

And, as I am certain of his feelings for us all, so am I certain of his feelings for myself.  Those who were most pliant to his touch loomed, of course, largest in his thoughts:  and my mother’s letter, giving him the proof of my affection, which, since it was less obtrusive than Doe’s, had been probably less clear to him, brought me in the foreground of his view.  Be it right or wrong, this man with the hard chin and kind eyes had his favourites; and I date from this moment my usurping of Doe’s position as Radley’s foremost favourite.  The way in which he took hold of my elbow, my willing submission of the army to his grasp told me that something was given by him and taken by me.  And my eyes, as was to be expected of them, became suddenly moist and luminous.

“Time’s going,” he said, “and this Roman History lesson is upon us.  Have you learnt it?”

“No, sir.”

“Well, the issue is simple:  either you continue cheating, or you give up no marks.  Shall you cheat any more?”

“N-no, sir.”

“Good, then you give up no marks.”

“All right, sir.”

“Well, hurry away.  And if, when the big moment comes, you succeed in doing what’s right, come and see me again.”

Sec.5

The big moment came.  Fillet opened his mark-book and read the names in the order of last term’s examination-list, which brought Doe’s name first.  Doe was mending a nib when his name was called, and, without raising his head, replied “100, sir.”

Other names followed, and the boys gave up the marks allotted them by Penny’s system.  Then came mine.

“Ray?”

For a second my voice or will failed me, so I pretended I had not heard, and let him ask again.

“Ray?”

“None, sir.”

Every boy turned towards me, and my cheeks burned to maroon.  I caught mutters of “Well, I’m hanged!” “Ye gods!” “Good-night!”

“Wh-what did you say?” stuttered Carpet Slippers.