on the arrival of

Mike's dealings with his father were as a rule of a most pleasantnature. Mr. Jackson was an understanding sort of man, who treated hissons as companions. From time to time, however, breezes were apt toruffle the placid sea of good-fellowship. Mike's end-of-term reportwas an unfailing wind-raiser; indeed Mr. Blake'ssarcastic _résumé_ of Mike's short-comings at the end of theprevious term, there had been something not unlike a typhoon. It wason this occasion that Mr. Jackson had solemnly declared his intentionof removing Mike from Wrykyn unless the critics became moreflattering; and Mr. Jackson was a man of his word. 　　It was with a certain amount of apprehension, therefore, that Jacksonentered the study. 　　"Come in, Mike," said his father, kicking the waste-paper basket; "Iwant to speak to you."Mike, skilled in omens, scented a row in the offing. Only in momentsof emotion was Mr. Jackson in the habit of booting the basket. 　　There followed an awkward silence, which Mike broke by remarking thathe had carted a half-volley from Saunders over the on-side hedge thatmorning. 　　"It was just a bit short and off the leg stump, so I stepped out--mayI bag the paper-knife for a jiffy? I'll just show----""Never mind about cricket now," said Mr. Jackson; "I want you tolisten to this report.""Oh, is that my report, father?" said Mike, with a sort of sicklyinterest, much as a dog about to be washed might evince in his tub. 　　"It is," replied Mr. Jackson in measured tones, "your report; what ismore, it is without exception the worst report you have ever had.""Oh, I say!" groaned the record-breaker. 　　"'His conduct,'" quoted Mr. Jackson, "'has been unsatisfactory in theextreme, both in and out of school.'""It wasn't anything really. I only happened----"Remembering suddenly that what he had happened to do was to drop acannon-ball (the school weight) on the form-room floor, not once, buton several occasions, he paused. 　　"'French bad; conduct disgraceful----'""Everybody rags in French.""'Mathematics bad. Inattentive and idle.'""Nobody does much work in Math.""'Latin poor. Greek, very poor.'""We were doing Thucydides, Book Two, last term--all speeches anddoubtful readings, and cruxes and things--beastly hard! Everybody saysso.""Here are Mr. Appleby's remarks: 'The boy has genuine ability, whichhe declines to use in the smallest degree.'"Mike moaned a moan of righteous indignation.