Miss Reynolds felt annoyed that Jimmy Dodge the best reader in his class should have been absent. She resolved to go at once, and tell his mother how important it was that the children should be regular in their attendance.
Mrs. Dodge was well acquainted with the teacher, and loved her for her faithfulness to Jimmy. She received her with great cordiality, and then asked; "Where is Jimmy? Why didn't he come with you?"
Miss Reynolds looked surprised. "I came," she said, "to ask you where he is. I am afraid he will lose his interest in his studies if he is absent so often."
"Why, I don't think he has been absent or tardy this term," remarked the mother, in an excited tone.
"There is some mistake about this, Mrs. Dodge. On Tuesday afternoon, our time for general exercises, when I specially missed him, Jimmy was absent. I sent Ralph Lane here to inquire whether he was detained by sickness, in which case I do not give a check. The next morning Jimmy told me himself that he went out of town with you."
"Oh, my son!" exclaimed the mother, a pang seizing her heart.
"Again this afternoon he was not in his place, which I regretted exceedingly as we had a visit from Mr. Comer."
"Let me think a minute. Jimmy went away directly after dinner, having asked permission to play with George Rust. Was George at school?"
"Yes."
"Where can my boy be? Oh, Jimmy, I trusted you so entirely, how could you deceive me!"