Breaking Away by Oliver Optic — Read

I confess that I was appalled at the boldness and daring of my / fellow-students, who had actually taken possession of the Parkville / Liberal Institute, and purposed to mete out justice to me and to Bill / Poodles. There was a certain kind of solemnity in the proceedings, / which was not without its effect upon me. My companions were / thoroughly in earnest, and the affair was not to be a farce.

Mr. Parasyte, after prayer, had made a statement to the students in / regard to the unpleasant event of the day, in which he represented me / as a contumacious offender, one who desired to make all the trouble he / could; an obstinate, self-willed fellow, whose example was dangerous / to the general peace, and who had refused to be guided by reason and / common sense. He told the students that he had even offered to pay for / my boat -- a concession on his part which had had no effect in softening / my obdurate nature. He appealed to them to sustain the discipline of / the Parkville Liberal Institute, which had always been celebrated as a / remarkably orderly and quiet establishment. He then added that he / should consult my uncle in regard to me, and be guided in some measure / by his judgment.