I grasped his hand.
"Excellent! Mac, you're a wonder! You're a brave man!"
"I don't feel brave," he said nervously. "It's going to be a very difficult job."
"It is," I said grimly, "and the most difficult part is for you to keep out of it."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that you have been an authority for so long that you'll find yourself issuing orders unthinkingly. More than that the kiddies are so much dependent on you that they will wait to see how you vote."
"What's the best way to begin it?" he asked.
"Simply walk in to-morrow and say: 'Look here, you are going to govern yourselves. I have no power; I won't order anyone to do anything; I won't punish anyone. Now, do what you like'."
Mac looked frightened.
"But, good Lord, man, they'll—they'll wreck the school!"