He arrived there early—almost too early, for none of the day pupils had come, and there was no one in the schoolroom but the young Middletons and Claudia Merlin.
She was sitting in her seat, with her desk open before her, and her black ringletted head half buried in it. But as soon she heard the door open she glanced up, and seeing Ishmael, shut down the desk and flew to meet him.
"I am so glad you come to school, Ishmael! I wasn't here yesterday, because I had a cold; but I knew you were! And oh! how nice you do look. Indeed, if I did not know better, I should take you to be the young gentleman, and those Burghes to be workman's sons!" she said, as she held his hand, and looked approvingly upon his smooth, light hair, his fair, broad forehead, clear, blue eyes, and delicate features; and upon his erect figure and neat dress.
"Thank you, miss," answered Ishmael, with boyish embarrassment.
"Come here, Bee, and look at him," said Miss Merlin, addressing some unknown little party, who did not at once obey the behest.
With a reddening cheek, Ishmael gently essayed to pass to his seat; but the imperious little lady held fast his hand, as, with a more peremptory tone, she said:
"Stop! I want Bee to see you! Come here, Bee, this instant, and look at Ishmael!"
This time a little golden-haired, fair-faced girl came from the group of children collected at the window, and stood before Claudia.
"There, now, Bee, look at the new pupil! Does he look like a common boy—a poor laborer's son?"
The little girl addressed as Bee was evidently afraid to disobey Claudia and ashamed to obey her. She therefore stood in embarrassment.