Blue Bonnet could have explained. If not to Miss North's satisfaction, to her own, entirely. She hated Miss Root, and she hated mathematics, which added fuel to fire.
At the end of the third week of school Blue Bonnet was summoned to Miss North's office.
Miss North looked serious as she motioned Blue Bonnet to a seat and opened the conversation.
"I am very sorry to find that you are not doing well in your mathematics, Miss Ashe. What is the trouble?"
"I hate mathematics and I dislike Miss Root," Blue Bonnet replied with a frankness that quite took Miss North's breath away.
"That is very disrespectful, Miss Ashe; I cannot have you speak of one of your teachers in that way."
"But I don't like her, Miss North, not a bit!"
"That is not to the point. Why are you inattentive?"
"I'm not. I am only stupid!"
Miss North was obliged to smile.