"Mr. Haskers, won't you listen to us?" asked Dave, in a steady voice. "We have a good excuse to offer for being late."
"I don't want any excuses. It was your duty to return to the Hall in time for supper."
"We simply couldn't get here. We were on Bush Island, and our boat was taken away from us."
"I saw you come back here in a boat."
"We found our boat after a while,—after we had lost a good hour looking for it. Then we rowed back as fast as we could."
"Pooh! The usual story! I want no such lame excuses! Some teachers might accept them, but not I! Go to your rooms, and at once,—and don't dare to come downstairs until to-morrow morning—or I'll cut off all your holidays until Christmas! " And Job Haskers folded his arms and stood like a judge before the boys.
An angry remark arose to Dave's lips. But he checked it and turned toward the school building, and Roger and Phil followed. Job Haskers marched after them.
"Go upstairs at once!" he ordered. "No lingering in the lower hall!" For he was afraid the lads might slip him and try to get something to eat on the sly.
"Mr. Haskers, I wish to talk to Doctor Clay," said Dave.
