“Thank you,” said Mr. Horton. “You may be seated, boys. Now, I want every other boy in the room who uses a key, whether it belongs to him or not, to rise.”
Nearly half the school stood then, and Mr. Horton’s keen eyes noted the glances cast at some who did not rise, and read their meaning clearly.
“That will do,” he said. Then he looked about the room slowly and searchingly.
“Clark,” he said, “you never use a key?”
“No, sir,” was the quiet reply.
“And you, Crawford?”
“No, sir,” said Crawford promptly.
The boys did not realize how much the teacher could read in their faces. He read something in several faces as Crawford gave his positive denial, and he thought to himself once more, “Crawford will bear watching.” Then aloud he said:—
“I am sorry to find that so many have been using keys; but with those of you who have frankly and honorably acknowledged it, I have no fault to find, since I have never forbidden the use of them. I do forbid it now, however, and I wish every key that any of you have here or at home, handed to me to-morrow morning. If I find any boy making use of one hereafter, I shall not let him off easily. Now take up your work.”
At recess D section gave attention to nothing but the matter of the keys. Those who had risen at Mr. Horton’s request were inclined to look with scorn and contempt upon those who had used the keys, but had not seen fit to acknowledge it.