This was one way of putting it. Though Mr. Bailey was by no means such a foolish person as his son suggested. He was very much unlike Harry Goddard's maiden aunt. Had Bertie written home any such letter of complaint--which, by the way, he was far too wise to have dreamed of doing--the consequences would in all probability have been the worse for him. The father knew his son too well to be caught with chaff. Unfortunately, Mr. Till did not know this; he had Mr. Knox's fate before his eyes. "You'd better let me off these lines," pursued the inexorable Bertie; "you'd better, you know." "You're an impudent young----" But Bertie interrupted him. "Now don't call me names, or I'll tell Fletcher. He only said the other day that all his pupils were to be treated like young gentlemen." "Young gentlemen!" snorted Mr. Till with scorn. "Yes, young gentlemen. And don't you say we're not young gentlemen, because Mecklemburg House Collegiate School is an establishment for young gentlemen." And Bertie grinned. "You'd better let me off these lines, you know." "You know I never hurt you; you shouldn't exasperate me; you're the most exasperating boy I ever knew; there's absolutely no bearing with your insolence! You'd try the patience of a saint." "I shouldn't be surprised if I was deaf for a week." He rubbed the injured part reflectively. "I've heard Fletcher say it's dangerous to hit a fellow on the ear. You'd better let me off those lines, you know." Mr. Till, fidgeting about the room, suddenly burst into eloquence. "I wonder if it's any use appealing to your better nature? They say boys have a better nature, though I never remember to have seen much of it. What pleasure do you find in making my life unbearable? What have I ever done to you that you should try to drive me mad? Are you naturally cruel? My sole aim is for your future welfare! Your sole aim is for my ruin!" Bertie continued to rub his ear. "Bailey, if I let you off these lines will you promise to try to give me less cause to punish you?" "You can't help letting me off them anyhow," said Bertie. "Can't I? I suppose, young gentleman, you think you're getting the best of me?" "I know I am," said Bertie.