“That will do, General Wall. Mr. Howard appears to be very well posted in geography. It was always a favorite study of mine, and I am gratified to find him so perficient.”
The examination closed with a few questions in arithmetic, which were satisfactorily answered.
“Mr. Howard,” said General Wall, “we are satisfied with the result of the examination. We consider you competent to teach, so far as your education is concerned. We will take Mr. Barclay’s word for your being a good Latin scholar. We authorize you to commence teaching as soon as he gives up the school.”
“Just so,” said the squire. “I hope you’ll get along with the big boys.”
“I will do my best,” answered our hero.
As he walked home, he could not help wondering how such an ignoramus as Squire Griffiths came to be selected as a school trustee.
CHAPTER IX
THE FASCINATING MISS JONES.
“Well,” said Allen Barclay, as Walter entered his room on his return from the examination, “how did you get along, Mr. Howard?”
“I came off with flying colors. Squire Griffiths asked me where the Amazon mountains were!”