"Oh, it sounded well enough, but I'll bet he was trembling in his boots all the while he was talkin'."
"Maybe so, but he seemed cool enough."
"Oh, that was all put on. Did you hear what he said about keepin' order?"
"Yes, he kinder looked at you an' me when he was talkin'."
"I guess he heard about our turnin' out the last teacher."
"Of course. I tell you, it took some cheek to come here and order 'round us boys that has known him all his life."
"That's so. Do you think he's goin' to maintain order, as he calls it?"
"You just wait till afternoon. He'll know better then."
James did not go out to recess the first day. He had some things to do affecting the organization of the school, and so he remained at his desk. Several of the pupils came up to consult him on one point or another, and he received them all with that pleasant manner which throughout his life was characteristic of him. To one and another he gave a hint or a suggestion, based upon his knowledge of their character and abilities. One of the boys said: "Do you think I'd better study grammar, Jimmy—I mean Mr. Garfield?"
James smiled. He knew the slip was unintentional. Of course it would not do for him to allow himself to be addressed in school by a pupil as Jimmy.