Dame. Thou hast stood on the stool now for thirty minutes—time enough for thee to repent. Sit thou now on the stool for another thirty minutes as an example to others.
Child obeys, crying. She lifts her apron to wipe her eyes.
Dame. Put down thine apron at once. (Sarcastically.) Wouldst cover thy beautiful placard? Let us all see thy shamed face and thy repentant tears. They are a sign of grace.
While she is talking, a little girl whispers behind her book to another. Dame spies her.
Dame. So, thou canst not keep thy mouth closed without help, Susie Gray? Well, I’ll help thee!
She takes a large handkerchief from table and ties it over child’s mouth.
Dame. Now go back to thy place! Next time, I will paste thy mouth shut.
She raps child over the head with her thimble, and Susie goes weeping to her seat.
While the Dame is disciplining Susie, a boy reaches out his foot and draws the rag doll toward him. He has all but secured it when the Dame discovers him.