His downfall was near ; and , although it involved Cecily in a most humiliating experience , over which she cried half the following night , in the end she confessed it was worth undergoing just to get rid of Cyrus . Mr. Perkins was an exceedingly strict disciplinarian . No communication of any sort was permitted between his pupils during school hours . Anyone caught violating this rule was promptly punished by the infliction of one of the weird penances for which Mr. Perkins was famous , and which were generally far worse than ordinary whipping . One day in school Cyrus sent a letter across to Cecily . Usually he left his effusions in her desk , or between the leaves of her books ; but this time it was passed over to her under cover of the desk through the hands of two or three scholars . Just as Em Frewen held it over the aisle Mr. Perkins wheeled around from his station before the blackboard and caught her in the act . `` Bring that here , Emmeline , '' he commanded . Cyrus turned quite pale . Em carried the note to Mr. Perkins . He took it , held it up , and scrutinized the address . `` Did you write this to Cecily , Emmeline ? '' he asked . `` No , sir . '' `` Who wrote it then ? '' Em said quite shamelessly that she did n't know -- it had just been passed over from the next row . `` And I suppose you have no idea where it came from ? '' said Mr. Perkins , with his frightful , sardonic grin . `` Well , perhaps Cecily can tell us . You may take your seat , Emmeline , and you will remain at the foot of your spelling class for a week as punishment for passing the note .
XXXXX , come here . ''
Cecily Cyrus Em Emmeline Frewen Perkins disciplinarian effusions left week