“I shall be very glad to give you any help in my power, Miss Frost,” she said. “You will excuse me now; I must go in and look after my young pupils.”
Miss Frost followed Squire Hadley up stairs to the scene of her future labors.
The room itself was an average country schoolroom. It had accommodations for about fifty scholars. The desks, on the boys’ side, were covered with ink spots of all shapes and sizes, and further decorated with an extensive series of jackknife carvings. Mabel’s neatness was rather offended by these things, which she took in in her first general survey. It was not much like any school that she had ever attended; but a private academy for girls differs essentially from a country schoolroom for both sexes.
“I see most of the scholars are here,” said Squire Hadley.
Mabel looked around the room. Between forty and fifty scholars, varying in age from eight to sixteen, were seated at the desks. At her entrance, they had taken seats previously selected. For the most part she liked their appearance. Several looked mischievous, but even they were bright eyed and good natured. All eyes were fixed upon her. She felt that she was being critically weighed in the balance by these country boys and girls.
“I wonder what are their impressions of me,” she thought. “I wonder if they suspect my inexperience!”
The children did not pronounce judgment at once. Their first impressions were favorable. They were surprised by the sight of so attractive a teacher. Mabel did not look like a school mistress — certainly not like Clarissa Bassett. Ben Hadley had told his friends something of her, and had even spoken in enthusiastic terms.
“She’s as pretty as a picture,” he had told them. “I bet she won’t be an old maid.”
The boys, in particular, had their curiosity excited to see her and judge for themselves. Now that they saw her they fully coincided with Ben’s opinion. They were still regarding their new teacher when Squire Hadley broke the silence.
“Scholars,” he said, clearing his throat, and assuming the attitude of an orator, “I have great pleasure in introducing to you your new teacher, Miss Frost. I have examined Miss Frost,” he proceeded, in a tone of importance, “and I find that she is thoroughly competent to lead you in the flowery paths of learning.” (This was a figure on which the Squire rather prided himself.) “She comes to us highly recommended, and I have no doubt you will all like her. As chairman of the committee,” (here the Squire’s breast expanded with official pride), “I have tried to obtain for you teachers of the highest talent, without regard to expense.” (Had the Squire forgotten that Mabel was to receive only seven dollars a week?) “I trust — the town trusts — that you will appreciate what we are doin’ for you. We want you to attend to your studies, and work hard to secure the blessin’s of a good education, which is the birthright of every citizen. I will now leave you in charge of your teacher, and I hope you will study to please her.”
The Squire sat down, and drawing an ample red handkerchief from his pocket wiped his brow with some complacency. He felt that his speech was a success. He had not stumbled, as he sometimes did. He felt that he had done credit to his position.
“Now I must go down to Miss Bassett’s school,” he added, rising to go. “I must say a few words to her scholars. Miss Frost, I wish you success in your — ahem! — very responsible task.”
“Thank you, sir.”
The ample form of the Squire vanished through the closing door, and Mabel was left face to face with her new responsibilities. For a moment she was nervous. She knew little of the routine of a country school, and felt like a civilian who without a particle of military training finds himself suddenly in command of a regiment.
“I wonder what I ought to do first,” she thought, in some perplexity. She would have consulted Squire Hadley on this point had she not hesitated to reveal her utter lack of experience.