Of course the wrong is great, but
the responsibility rests with the taskmaster in the same manner as
the thefts of a starved slave might on his owner."
"The taskmaster being the country?"
"Exactly so. Happy those boys who have available brains, like
yours."
"Ah! I am very sorry about Bobus; what ought I to do?"
"Hardly more than write a few words of warning, since the change may
probably have put an end to the practice."
Jock presently brought back tidings that his namesake was all right,
except for a black eye, and was growling like ten bears at having
been sent to bed.
"Uncle Robert was more angry than ever, in a white heat, quiet and
terrible," said Jock, in an awe-struck voice. "He has locked Rob up
in his study, and here's Joe, for Aunt Ellen is quite knocked up, and
they want the house to be very quiet."
No tragical consequences, however, ensued. Mother and sons both
appeared the next morning, and were reported as "all right" by the
first inquirer from the Folly; but Jessie came to her lessons with
swollen eyelids as if she had cried half the night; and when her aunt
thanked her for defending Armine, she began to cry again, and Essie
imparted to Barbara that Rob was "just like a downright savage with
her."
"No; hush, Essie, it is not that," said Jessie; "but papa is so
dreadfully angry with him, and he is to be sent away, and it is all
my fault.
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