PUPIL. I did; I couldn’t help it. (Hanging head.)
TEACHER. Couldn’t help pulling hair! That is a likely story. You may pass to the foot.
PUPIL. No, I couldn’t. I went to raise my hand and his hair was right in the way. (Scuffs to foot.)
TEACHER. I will try you on one more sentence, and if you cannot read that properly you must take your seats and study. (Writes: “Stephen says that the girls are knitting.” ) Next read.
PUPIL. Step-hen! (Hands of class go up.)
TEACHER. Wrong! Next! (Is interrupted by boy who wants a drink. Two boys are appointed to get a bucket of water and pass it to the others in tin cups.)
NEXT PUPIL. Stephen—says—that—the—girls—are—kissing. (Boys laugh.)
GIRL (indignantly). He didn’t read that right!
TEACHER. Very well. You may read it.
GIRL (still unmollified ). Stephen says that girls are kittens.