“I am glad to hear you say this, Mr. Morton. Now, you will be kind enough to tell me what studies you are pursuing?”
When he had taken down the names of all the boys, Walter commenced with the girls. Here he had no trouble, for all were disposed to regard the young teacher with favor. It might have been, in part, because he was good-looking, but it was also, in part, because he was quiet and self-possessed, and appeared to understand his business.
CHAPTER XXIII
A STORM BREWING.
When he had taken the names of all the scholars Walter said: “We shall not be able to enter upon our studies regularly till to-morrow. We will occupy the rest of the forenoon by such tasks as do not require preparation. First of all I will hear you read. Mr. Morton, will you commence?”
Phineas Morton rose, and, opening his book, began to read. He read respectably till he came to the word “misled,” which he pronounced as if it were mizzled. Instantly there was a shout of laughter from the other scholars, Peter’s being louder than the rest, though but for the general laughter he would not have known that a mistake had been made.
Phineas looked abashed and mortified.
“Have I made a mistake?” he said, inquiringly.
“Yes,” said Walter, who preserved his own gravity. “The word should be pronounced mis-led. It is the participle of the verb mislead.”
“I didn’t know that.”