Moses Ayer
Lewis Hoyt
Molly Royce
James Claiborne
Louis Gist
And all the rest of us.
This, as must be confessed, was hardly respectful or complimentary, but these were rough times and these children had much to learn. Master Hempstead was accustomed to the utmost consideration. The man of learning had then, as now, the highest place in the regard of the community, and his anger seethed, as, with the hastily adjusted aid of his horn-bowed glasses, he perused this gage of rebellion.
“Numskulls!” he shouted. “After all I have taught ye, to spell like that! Y-e-r-e, year! R-a-i-z-e-a-n-s, raisins! T-i-l, till! P-o-n-d-s, pounds! S-i-n-e, sign! O you young ignoramuses! You will go out into the world and disgrace me!”
“Sign your name, master!” shrilled the unfeeling chorus inside.
“O you young vipers! Vipers whom I have cherished in my bosom! Mox anguis recreatus! Sting the hand that nourished you! And spell like that!”