The boys glanced at one another and grinned, then at the intruder, lastly at Hester. Her look held them, and some habit of discipline learnt from the old woman they were being invited to champion. One or two began shuffling in their seats. But it was Myra who led the rebellion. She stepped to Tom's side at once, and cried she, pointing a finger at Hester, "She's a witch! Look at her--she's a witch! I know now why Aunt Hannah called it a burning shame. She's robbing Mother Butson, and she's a witch and ought to be burnt. Come along, Clem!" Hester, turning from the child between pain and disgust, intent only on holding the bigger boys in check while she could, did not note that Clem made no movement to obey his sister. "Well done, Miss Myra!--though you needn't talk vindictive. There's no need to harm _her_. Now look here, boys! Mother Butson gives you a holiday, and sent me up with the message. What do 'ee say to it?" "Stop!" Hester lifted a hand against the now certain mutiny. "Your name is Trevarthen, I believe?" "Tom Trevarthen, miss." "Then, Tom Trevarthen, you are a poor coward. Now do your worst and go your way. You have heard the truth." "'Tidn' best a man said that to me," answered Tom, with a lowering brow. "A man?" she replied, with a short laugh of contempt which in her own ears sounded like a sob. "There were men here just now; but you waited till they were gone!" "No, miss; I did not, you'll excuse me. I only knew the school was to open to-day. I came ashore half an hour ago, and walked up here across the fields." He stood for a second or two meditatively twisting his round cap between his hands. "We'll play fair, though," he said, and faced round on the benches. "Sorry to disappoint 'ee, boys, but you must do without your holiday, after all. This here is a man's job, as Miss Marvin says, and 'tis for men to settle it. Only,"--he turned upon Hester again-- "you must name your man quick. My ship sails early in the week; let alone that there's cruel wrong being done, and the sooner 'tis righted the better." Hester's hand went up to her throat. Was this extraordinary youth actually proposing a wager of battle? His eyes rested on hers seriously; his demeanour had become entirely courteous. "Ah," she gasped, "but cannot you see that the mischief is done! You behave shamefully, and now you talk childishly. You have made these children disloyal, and what hold can I have on them except through their loyalty? You have thrown me back at the start--I cannot bear to think how far--and you talk as if some foolish violence could mend this for me! Please--please go away! I have no patience to argue with you." "Yes, go away!" broke in a shrill treble voice. It was Clem's. The child had risen from his bench and stood up, gripping the desk in front and trembling. "Clem dear, you don't understand--" began Myra.