So the organization continued. By noon the school was ready for work; lessons had been assigned in grammar, geography, and arithmetic, and the first class had read.
“I think we have done a good morning’s work,” said Miss Mabel Frost as the clock struck twelve. “I believe our afternoon session commences at one. I should like to have you all punctual.”
In leaving the schoolroom to go to dinner, Mabel passed Ben Hadley. “You have been of great service to me, Ben,” said she with a smile. “I really don’t know how I should have got along without you.”
Ben blushed with gratification. It was long since he had felt so proud and well pleased with himself.
“How do you like your new teacher, Ben?” asked his father at the dinner table.
“She’s a trump, father,” said Ben, warmly.
“Then you like her?” asked the Squire in some astonishment, for he understood perfectly well Ben’s school reputation. Indeed, more than one teacher had come to him to complain of his son and heir’s mischievous conduct, and he had had misgivings that Miss Frost would have occasion to do the same thing.
“Yes, I do,” said Ben, emphatically. She knows how to treat a feller.”
“Then there was no disturbance?”
“Not a speck.”
The Squire was greatly surprised.
“I helped organize the school,” proceeded Ben proudly.
“YOU!” exclaimed the Squire, in small capitals.
“Certainly. Why shouldn’t I?
“I apprehend that you might need organizing yourself,” said the Squire, smiling at what he considered a witty remark.
“Maybe I do, sometimes,” said Ben,” but I like Miss Frost, and I mean to help her.”
“I didn’t see much in her,” said Mrs. Hadley, opening her thin lips disapprovingly. “In my opinion she dresses too much for a teacher.”
“I don’t see why she shouldn’t if she can afford it,” said Ben, who had constituted himself Mabel’s champion.
She can’t afford it on her wages,” retorted his mother,
“I guess that’s her lookout,” said Ben, hitting the nail on the head.
“Ben’s taken an uncommon fancy to the school mistress,” said Squire Hadley, after Ben had returned to school.
“It won’t last,” said Mrs. Hadley, shaking her head. “He’ll soon be up to his old tricks again, take my word for it. I don’t believe she’ll suit, either. A new broom sweeps clean. Just wait a while.”
“If it does last — I mean Ben’s fancy — it will be surprising,” said the Squire. “He’s been a thorn in the side of most of the teachers.”
“It won’t last,” said Mrs. Hadley decidedly, and there the conversation dropped.
Chapter 4
Ben Hadley’s conversion had indeed been sudden, and, as in most similar cases, he found some difficulty in staying converted. While his pride was flattered by the confidence reposed in him by Miss Frost, there were times when his old mischievous propensities almost overcame him. On the third day, as John Cotton was passing Ben’s desk, the latter suddenly thrust out his foot into the passageway between the desks, and John tumbled over it, breaking his slate.
“What’s the matter?” asked Mabel, looking up from the book from which she was hearing another class.
“Ben Hadley tripped me up,” said John, rubbing his shins, and looking ruefully at his broken slate.
“Did you, Ben?” asked Mabel.
Ben was already sorry and ashamed, as he would not have been under any other teacher. With all his faults he was a boy of truth, and he answered “Yes,” rather sheepishly.
“You should be careful not to keep your feet in the aisle,” said Miss Frost quietly. “I suppose you’ll be willing to buy John a new slate.”
“Yes,” said Ben promptly, glad to have the matter end thus.
“I need a slate now,” grumbled John.
“I’ll lend you mine,” said Ben at once, “and buy you a better one than I broke.”
Mabel quite understood that the accident was ” done on purpose.” She did not want to humiliate Ben, but rather to keep him on his good behavior. So she was as friendly and confidential as ever, and Ben preserved his self respect. He kept his promise, and bought John the most expensive slate he could find in the village store.