But Richard’s tutor, on thinking the matter over, determined to speak to the squire.  Only the evening before, Mr. Linthorne had surprised him by asking him several questions as to Richard’s progress and conduct, and had said something about examining him himself, to see how he was getting on.  This had caused Mr. Robertson no little alarm, for he knew that even the most superficial questioning would betray the extent of Richard’s ignorance, and he had resolved that, henceforth, he would endeavour to assert his authority, and to insist upon Richard’s devoting a certain portion of each day, regularly, to study.  Should the squire meet the boy anywhere about the house, he must at once notice the condition of his face; and even if he did not meet him, he could not fail to notice it on Sunday, when he sat beside him in the pew.  It would be better, therefore, that he should at once report the matter to him.

Without saying a word to Richard of his intentions, he therefore went to the squire’s study, and told him what had taken place, as he had learned it from Richard.  The squire listened silently.

“Very well, Mr. Robertson.  You were quite right to tell me about it.  Of course, I cannot suffer my nephew to be treated in this manner.  At the same time, I am sorry that it was Walsham’s son.  I don’t know anything about the boy, and should not know him even by sight, but I had an esteem for his father, who was a hard-working man, and, I believe, clever.  He used to attend here whenever any of the servants were ill, and I had intended to do something for the boy.  I am sorry he has turned out so badly.  However, I will have him up here and speak to him.  This sort of thing cannot be permitted.”

And accordingly, orders were given to the constable.  When, in the evening, Mr. Robertson informed Richard what he had done, the boy flew into a terrible passion, and abused his tutor with a violence of language which shocked and astonished him, and opened his eyes to his own culpability, in allowing him to go on his way unchecked.  He in vain endeavoured to silence the furious lad.  He had been so long without exercising any authority, that he had now no authority to exercise, and, after an angry scene, Richard flung himself out of the room, and left his tutor in a state bordering on consternation.

Chapter 3:  The Justice Room.

Richard’s feelings were not to be envied, as he lay awake that night, thinking over what had taken place in the morning.  It had never, for a moment, entered his mind that his tutor would repeat his statement to the squire, and he would have given a good deal if he had not made it.  However, there was nothing for him now but to stick to the story, and he felt but little doubt of the result.  He had no idea that any, but the actors in it, had witnessed the scene by the pool, and he felt confident that his uncle would, as a matter of course, take his word in preference to that of this boy, who would naturally tell lies to screen himself.  Of course, the child was there, but no one would mind what a baby like that said.  Still, it was a nuisance, and he gnashed his teeth with rage at the interference of his tutor in the matter.