Trafford was silent and thoughtful for a long time. At last he said, "What would you say if I forbade you to continue your school through the winter?"
"I don't think you'll say that, Uncle Richard," said Noll,—not very confidently, however. "I should be very sorry to give it up now."
"Even if I thought it best?"
Noll could not deny but that he should. "They're just beginning to learn," he said, "and it would be too bad for them to lose all they have gained. Don't you really think so, too, Uncle Richard?"
Culm Rock.
Trafford made no reply to this question, but, when he spoke again, said, "Not even if another teacher filled your place, Noll?"
The boy's tongue was silent with wonder and astonishment. Then, thinking his ears had deceived him, he said, "Why—why—what did you say, Uncle Richard?"
"I asked you," said Trafford, "whether you would be willing to give up the school if another teacher took your place?"