human
How do you know?--what made you think I did it?
gpt
I saw you burning paper in the garden last evening, and although I had no idea then that you were up to mischief, I felt sure of it as soon as I found the fellows all complaining about their books.
human
Pooh! those were letters I was burning--some I didn’t want to carry home.
gpt
They were not letters, they were book-leaves. I saw them plainly.
human
Spy! hissed Drayton furiously.
gpt
You hung around and watched.
human
I did not. I was passing along that way because I left my geometry under the big tree, and I had to finish my lesson before bedtime.
gpt
Oh yes, sneered Drayton.
human
You had time to take special notice of the size of the paper. You’d no business there; and I have a good mind to thrash you within an inch of your life.
gpt
I didn’t know you owned the garden, or I would have kept out of it. As for thrashing, you know I don’t thrash easy, even by a boy of your size. You tried it once. If you think it will help you out of your scrape, you can try it again.
human
Well, I’ll tell you what it is, Chester: if you breathe a word about this I will have my revenge somehow.
gpt
Come, Drayton, you have blustered and fumed long enough. You had better change your course. I am not easily frightened.
human
Chester, if I am found out in this I’ll be sent home, and my father would be awfully cut up if I had to leave this school. He is in a hurry to get me into college, and this would put me back if I get expelled. Don’t you tell what you know, will you, Joe? Then he added hurriedly,
gpt
I was an idiot to do it! I knew it as soon as I tore out the first leaf, which happened to be from Mr. Bernard’s book. After that was gone, I was in for the business, and I just rushed it through.
human
What put such a silly joke into your head?
gpt
Oh, Ben Carver and I planned it together. We thought it would be fun to get up a fuss over the books; but Ben backed out.
human
Then Ben Carver knows it too?
gpt
Yes, Carver knows, but I can trust him. He will just as soon lie as not, though he hadn’t the pluck to carry out the plan. It all rests with you, Chester: if you will stand by me I shall come through all right.
human
Well, Drayton, I’ll do anything I can, except lie, for you. You needn’t ask that.
gpt
What if Bernard asks if you know?
human
If he asks me that question plump and fair, I shall have to say yes.
gpt
Then it is all up with me, for he _will_ ask as sure as fate.
human
Now, Ralph, take my advice, said Joe, putting his arm over Drayton’s shoulder.
gpt
Go and tell Mr. Bernard the truth. It isn’t too late. Come; I will go with you.
human
Nonsense, Joe; he might forgive the mischief, but he never would overlook the lie. I would be expelled at once. No, Joe, my only hope is in you. If you won’t lie for me--
gpt
And you do not expect me to do that?
human
No. I suppose you wouldn’t lie to save yourself, and I can’t expect you to for me, but I hate to go home in disgrace. The fact is, though I have been bragging around here, my father has pretty hard work to give us boys an education. Oh, such an idiot as I was!
gpt
Well, Drayton, I am sorry for you. I really am; and you may depend on me never to expose you. I’ll let you do that yourself.
human
Then you will keep mum?
gpt
Of course I will.
human
Lie or no lie?
gpt
I didn’t say that at all. If Mr. Bernard asks if I know, I shall be obliged to say yes, but he can’t make me tell who did it.
human
Not if he should threaten to expel you?
gpt
He would hardly do that, but if he should,--no, not even then.
human
Joe Chester, you are a good fellow! Give us your hand! Now mum is the word!
gpt
YES.