“Of course, he will expect us to obey him as the teacher.”
“You kin obey him if you want to; I’m goin’ to do as I please.”
“Why haven’t you done that with Mr. Barclay, Peter?”
“Because he’s stronger than I am.”
It will be seen from this conversation that Peter’s ideas as to the relation between teacher and scholar were very rudimentary. The “master,” to him, was the embodiment of sufficient physical force to keep in due subjection the unruly elements under him, and it was perfectly legitimate for a scholar to refuse obedience unless the one who required it was able to enforce the demand.
There was still another scholar who attracted the notice of Walter. This was a young man of twenty, who stood six feet in his stockings. He towered above Walter by several inches, and our hero was tempted to laugh when he reflected that he was about to assume the position of teacher to one so far his superior in age and size. However, he felt reassured by the expression of Phineas Morton, which, though heavy, was friendly and good-natured. He might not be a very active friend, but it did not seem likely that he would do anything to annoy the teacher.
“Well, Mr. Howard,” said Barclay, as they were walking home, “what are your first impressions of the scholars?”
“Rather confused,” said Walter, laughing. “I have got the names and faces of all mixed up together, and can hardly tell one from the other.”
“That was my first experience; but I soon learned to distinguish them.”
“There was one I particularly liked.”