Nate Pollard and Jimmy sat to-day as far apart as possible, almost turning their backs upon each other. At the bottom of his heart Nate was truly ashamed of himself, though he would not have owned it. There were five new scholars, and Katharine wrote down their names with much pride. Best of all, some of the children really seemed to be trying to get their lessons.
She had never known Joe Rolfe to study like this. "Is it because he is guilty?" thought the little teacher watching him from under her eyebrows. She walked along toward him so softly that he did not hear her footsteps.
"Joseph!" she exclaimed, suddenly. Her voice startled him; he looked up in surprise.
"I'm glad to see you studying, Joseph."
Did he blush? His face was of a brownish red hue at any time, being much tanned; she could not be quite sure of the blush. But why did he look so sober? Children generally smile when they are praised.
She had been to Bab and Lucy and said, "How still you are, darlings!" and they had seemed delighted.
Next she tried Chicken Little. He certainly jumped when she spoke his name close to his ear, "Henry." Now why should he jump and seem so confused unless he knew he had done something wrong? She forgot that he was a very timid boy.
"Henry, what is the matter with you?" she asked, frowning severely.
She had never frowned on him before, for she liked the little fellow, and was trying her best to "make a man of him."
"What is the matter, Henry?"