The Grammar School Boys of Gridley; or, Dick & Co. Start Things Moving by Hancock

“Master Prescott, what are you doing?”

The voice of Mr. E. Dutton Jones rasped out rather sharply, jarring on the generally studious air of the eighth-grade room of the Central Grammar School.

“What were you doing, Master Prescott?” repeated the stern voice of the principal.

Dick Prescott had glanced up, somewhat startled and confused. By this time every boy’s and girl’s eyes had turned away from text-books toward Dick Prescott.

“I was whispering, sir,” confessed Dick.

“Oh, was that all?” demanded the somewhat ironical voice of Mr. E. Dutton Jones, more commonly known as “Old Dut.”