At retreat thirty-seven answered the roll-call. Supper was eaten in haste, and then every one went out to the best points on the grounds, or gathered in the south windows, to watch for the return of the holiday-seekers. No one dreamed that they would not come back before nightfall. There were several false alarms, especially as twilight came on, and objects at a distance grew indistinct; but the fugitives were watched for in vain.
Colonel Silsbee began to be anxious. He had thought it best not to follow the erring lads, but to let them return at will. Consequently he had sent no messengers for them, and no messages to them. He preferred to deal with them after they had voluntarily returned to his authority.
But now night was coming on, and they were still absent, and there were small boys among them who might be harmed by the unusual exposure. He had heard of them in the afternoon,--that they were on the high-road going toward New Hornbury. He thought they would probably return in the same way, and he sent a team with a double wagon down to meet them, with instructions that certain of the smaller boys should be brought back in it.
Night came; the call for the evening session was sounded, and again only the boys who had remained at home filed into their places in the schoolroom.
Colonel Silsbee came in and took his place at the desk as usual. The look of anger which the boys thought they had seen on his face in the morning had now given way to one of anxiety and sadness. He looked down again on the empty chairs with perceptible emotion.
"To you who have remained faithful," he said, addressing the boys, "it is perhaps right that I should say something of what has occurred. You doubtless agree with me that your companions who are absent from us to-night have made a grievous mistake. For those younger boys who have been led away thoughtlessly into this folly I have much anxiety and pity; but for those who are older, and who ought to be wiser, I know of no excuse. There must come a day of retribution for them, and their punishment will be severe. Some of these young men have received honors at our hands; many of them have received favors; all of them have enjoyed the best we had to give: and my indignation at their unexampled conduct is lost in the deep pain which their ingratitude has given me."