Mental arithmetic was the first lesson. It was always a difficult one for Frank; and, as might have been expected, he failed entirely in the recitation, and was obliged to leave the class and retire to his seat. This was but the beginning of troubles. The mortification of being sent from the class in arithmetic quite unfitted him for learning his other lessons well. His next recitation was very imperfect; his sums were all marked “wrong;” his writing was blotted, and looked very badly; in short, it was a day of misfortunes. He was not allowed to leave the room at recess, and was also detained nearly an hour after school to recite the lessons which he had failed to learn through the day.
It was with a sad countenance that he appeared in his mother’s room on his return home.
“Where is Clara?” he asked, observing the absence of his sister.
“Gone to town with your father, my son,” was the reply.
There was a large town near the village where Mr. Wilbur resided, and the children thought it a great privilege to be allowed to accompany their father when business obliged him to go there.
“Gone to town, mother!” echoed Frank. “Are they going to see the menagerie?”
“I believe they are, Frank.”
“O mother! mother! why could not I have gone with them?” And, quite overcome by the disappointment and the previous disasters of the day, the poor boy burst into tears, and hid his face in his hands.
His mother pitied him very much; and, moving her chair nearer to him, placed her hand gently and soothingly upon his head.
Frank was comforted by this, and gradually ceased his sobs, and, seating himself at his mother’s feet, laid his head in her lap.