Walter quietly raised his hat slightly in return, and said: “Good-morning, boys.”
He entered the schoolhouse, and the scholars followed him.
“He’ll be sick of his bargain before the week’s out,” said Peter, aside, to John; “you’ll see if he don’t.”
CHAPTER XXII
THE NEW TEACHER.
To say that Walter felt quite cool and unconcerned as he entered the schoolroom and advanced to his place behind the teacher’s desk, would not be entirely true. It was a novel situation for a boy not quite sixteen, and he felt it to be such. If for a moment he regretted having assumed so grave a responsibility, it was not strange. But, if Walter felt a little nervous and apprehensive, he had self-command enough not to show it. He looked calmly about him, meeting the expectant glances of all the scholars, and, fixing his eyes on the nearest boy, said:
“Will you go to the door and ring the bell?”
Alfred Clinton, for he was the one addressed, has already been alluded to as an excellent student, and a boy of fine disposition. He was ready and determined to co-operate with the young teacher in every way that might be in his power.
He advanced respectfully, and, taking the bell, rang it from the door outside.
There was little need of the summons, however, this morning. Led by curiosity, the habitual loiterers were all in their seats.