"But," I protested seriously, "it's essential. You simply must break your authority if you are to have a free school. There can be no real self-expression if you are always standing by to stamp out slacking and noise."
"But," he protested, "didn't I tell 'em I was giving up my authority?"
"Yes, but they don't believe you. You've got the eye of an authority."
He was by this time getting rather indignant.
"I can't go the length you do," he said sourly. "I'm not an anarchist."
"In that case I'd advise you to chuck the experiment, Mac," I said with an indifferent shrug of my shoulders. The shrug nettled Mac; he is one of the bull-dog breed, and I saw his lips set.
"I've begun it, and I won't chuck it," he said firmly. "And I hope to prove that your methods are all wrong. Let it come gradually; that's what I say."
When he came over at four o'clock his face glowed with excitement. He slapped me on the back with his heavy hand.
"Man," he cried, "it's going fine! We had our first trial this afternoon."
"Go on," I said.