quarter before two
On our return , we learned that Mr. Parasyte had made a stirring appeal to the students , in the dining-room , to support the discipline of the school , and had intimated that he intended to prosecute Thornton in the courts for the assault upon him . I was rather startled at this intelligence , for a court was an appalling affair to me . The boys heard in silence what the principal had to say , and left the dining-room in as good order as usual . At quarter before two the school-bell rang ; but only about twenty obeyed the summons . I was on the pier at this time , and shortly after I saw Mr. Parasyte coming down to see the students . Deeming it best to keep out of his way , I pulled over to the wheelwright 's , to look after the Splash . An hour later , Bob Hale , Henry Vallington , and Tom Rush joined me , saying that Mr. Parasyte had been very gentle with the boys , and had used only mild persuasions .