“You are a good friend!” said Archer; and with great eagerness he pulled down the fortifications, whilst every hand assisted. The room was restored to order in a few minutes—the shutters were thrown open, the cheerful light let in. The windows were thrown up, and the first feeling of the fresh air was delightful. The green playgound opened before them, and the hopes of exercise and liberty brightened the countenances of these voluntary prisoners. But, alas! they were not yet at liberty. The idea of Dr. Middleton, and the dread of his vengeance, smote their hearts. When the rebels had sent an ambassador with their surrender, they stood in pale and silent suspense, waiting for their doom. “Ah!” said Fisher, looking up at the broken panes in the windows, “the doctor will think the most of _that_—he’ll never forgive us for that.” “Hush! here he comes!” His steady step was heard approaching nearer and nearer. Archer threw open the door, and Dr. Middleton entered. Fisher instantly fell on his knees. “It is no delight to me to see people on their knees. Stand up, Mr. Fisher. I hope you are all conscious that you have done wrong?” “Sir,” said Archer, “they are conscious that they have done wrong, and so am I. I am the ringleader. Punish me as you think proper. I submit. Your punishments—your vengeance ought to fall on me alone!” “Sir,” said Dr. Middleton, calmly, “I perceive that whatever else you may have learned in the course of your education, you have not been taught the meaning of the word punishment. Punishment and vengeance do not with us mean the same thing. _Punishment_ is pain given, with the reasonable hope of preventing those on whom it is inflicted from doing, _in future_, what will hurt themselves or others. _Vengeance_ never looks to the _future_, but is the expression of anger for an injury that is past. I feel no anger; you have done me no injury.” Here many of the little boys looked timidly up to the windows. “Yes, I see that you have broken my windows; that is a small evil.” “Oh, sir! How good! How merciful!” exclaimed those who had been most panic-struck. “He forgives us!”