Socrates Smith looked up in genuine surprise.  As a general thing, his nephew brought few complaints, for he took the responsibility of punishing boys he did not like himself.

“What!  Roscoe?” inquired the principal.

“Yes.”

“Is he in any mischief?”

“Mischief?  I should say so!  Why, he’s a regular young Turk.”

“A young Turk?  I don’t think I understand you, James.”

“I mean, he’s a young ruffian.”

“What has he been doing?” asked Socrates, in surprise.

“He pitched into me a short time ago,” said Jim, in some embarrassment.

“Pitched into you!  You don’t mean to say that he attacked you?”

“Yes, I do.”

“But he’s a considerably smaller boy than you, James.  I am surprised that he should have dared to attack you.”

“Yes, he is small, but he’s a regular fighter.”

“I suppose you gave him a lesson?”

“Ye-es, of course.”

“So that he won’t be very likely to renew the attack.”

“Well, I don’t know about that.  He’s tough and wiry, and understands boxing.  I found it hard work to thrash him.”

“But you did thrash him?” said Socrates, puzzled.

“Yes.”

“Then what do you want me to do?”

“I thought you might punish him for being quarrelsome.”

“It may be a good idea.  I remember now that his uncle warned me that he would need restraining.”

“Just so, uncle,” said Jim, eagerly.  “His uncle was right.”

“Well, I will give him a lecture.  He will find that he cannot behave as he pleases at Smith Institute,” said Socrates, pompously.  “He will find that I do not tolerate any defiance of authority.  I will speak of it after vespers.”

“Thank you, uncle.”

“He’ll get a raking down!” thought Jim, with gratification.  “I’ll make it hot for him here, he may be sure of that.”

Half an hour after supper was read a brief evening service called vespers, and then the boys’ study hours commenced.  During this time they were expected to be preparing their lessons for the next day.

The service was generally read by Socrates Smith, A. M., in person.  It was one of the few official duties he performed, and he was generally very imposing in his manner on this occasion.

When the service had been read on that particular evening, the principal did not immediately give the signal for study to be commenced.  Instead, he cleared his throat, saying: 

“Boys, I have a few words to say to you.  This morning a new boy made his appearance among us.  His uncle, or perhaps I should say his guardian, attracted by the well-deserved fame of Smith Institute, came hither to enter him among my pupils.  I received him cordially, and promised that he should share with you the rich, the inestimable educational advantages which our humble seminary affords.  I hoped he would be an acquisition, that by his obedience and his fidelity to duty he would shed luster on our school.”