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 . Cecily , come here . '' Indignant Em sat down and poor , innocent Cecily was haled forth to public ignominy . She went with a crimson face .
`` Cecily , '' said her tormentor , `` do you XXXXX who wrote this letter to you ? ''
Did caught come commanded haled know passed sat take wheeled