“Edwards boy! Do you mean to compare that—that young rip of a Ben Edwards with a girl like Bos'n? I never heard—”
“I'm not comparing anybody. I'm trying to be fair to every scholar in this room. And, so long as Emily behaves herself, she shall be treated accordingly. When she doesn't, she shall be punished. You must understand that.”
“But Ben Edwards! Why, he's a wooden-head, same as his dad was a fore him! And Emmie's the smartest scholar in this town.”
“Oh, no, she isn't! She's a good scholar, but there are others just as good and even quicker to learn.”
This was piling one insult upon another. Other children as brilliant as Bos'n! Captain Cy was bursting with righteous indignation.
“Well!” he exclaimed. “Well! for a teacher that we've called to—”
“And that's another thing,” broke in Miss Dawes quickly. “I've been told that you, Cap'n Whittaker, are the one directly responsible for my being chosen for this place. I don't say that you are presuming on that, but—”
“I ain't! I never thought of such a thing!”
“But if you are you mustn't, that's all. I didn't ask for the position and, now that I've got it, I shall try to fill it without regard to one person more than another. Emily stays here until her lines are written. I don't think we need to say any more. Good day.”
She opened the door. Captain Cy picked up his hat, swallowed hard, and stepped across the threshold. Then Miss Phoebe added one more remark.