The Squire sat down, and drawing an ample red handkerchief from his pocket wiped his brow with some complacency. He felt that his speech was a success. He had not stumbled, as he sometimes did. He felt that he had done credit to his position.
"Now I must go down to Miss Bassett's school," he added, rising to go. "I must say a few words to her scholars. Miss Frost, I wish you success in your -- ahem! -- very responsible task."
"Thank you, sir."
The ample form of the Squire vanished through the closing door, and Mabel was left face to face with her new responsibilities. For a moment she was nervous. She knew little of the routine of a country school, and felt like a civilian who without a particle of military training finds himself suddenly in command of a regiment.
"I wonder what I ought to do first," she thought, in some perplexity. She would have consulted Squire Hadley on this point had she not hesitated to reveal her utter lack of experience.
While glancing about the room in an undecided way she detected Ben Hadley slyly preparing to insert a pin into the anatomy of the boy next him. This gave her an idea.
"Ben Hadley, please come to the desk," she said quietly.
Ben started guiltily. He decided that the school teacher had seen him, and was about to call him to account. His face wore a half defiant look as he marched up to the desk, the observed of all observers. All the scholars were on the qui vive to learn the policy of the new administration. This summons seemed rather a bold move, for Ben was generally regarded as the head of the opposition. Not from malice, but from roguery, he gave successive teachers more trouble than any other scholar. Had the new school mistress found this out, and was she about to arraign the rebel as her first act of power? Such was Ben's suspicion, as, with his head erect, he marched up to the teacher's desk.
To his surprise Miss Frost met him with a friendly smile.
"Ben," said she pleasantly, "you are one of the oldest scholars, and the only one whom I know. Are you willing to help me organize the school?"
Ben was, astonished. That such a proposal should be made to him, the arch rebel, was most unexpected.
"Guess she don't know me," he thought. But yet he felt flattered; evidently he was a person of some consequence in the eyes of the new teacher.
"I'll help you all I can, Miss Frost," he said heartily.
"Thank you, Ben, I felt sure you would," said Mabel, with quiet confidence. "I suppose the first thing will be to take the names of the scholars."
"Yes, Miss Frost; and then you sort 'em into classes."
"To be sure. How many classes are there generally?"
"Well, there are three classes in reading, and two in arithmetic, and two in geography."
"That is just the information I want. Now, Ben, I will ask you to go about with me, and tell me the names of the scholars."
But before entering upon this formality, Mabel, for the first time in her life, made a speech.
"Scholars," she said, "I am a stranger to you, but I hope you will come to regard me as your friend. I am here to help you acquire an education. I am sure you all wish to learn. There is a great satisfaction in knowledge, and it will help you, both boys and girls, to become useful men and women, and acquit yourselves creditably in any positions which you may be called upon to fill. I am not so well acquainted with the method of carrying on a country grammar school as most of my predecessors, having myself been educated in the city. I have, therefore, asked Ben Hadley to assist me in organizing the school, and preparing for work."
The scholars received the announcement with surprise. It presented Ben to them in a novel character. They waited with interest to see how he would acquit himself in his new office.
Ben accompanied Miss Frost from desk to desk, and greatly facilitated her task by his suggestions. At length the names of all the scholars were taken.
"Now I must arrange the classes," said Mabel, with increased confidence. "Have you any advice to give, Ben?"
"You'd better ask the first class to come up," suggested her young assistant. "Then you'll know exactly who belong to it."
"That will be the best plan," said Mabel; and she followed his advice.
Ben left her side and took his place in the class. He scanned the class, and then said: "Miss Frost, there's one boy here who belongs in the second class."
At this revelation a boy standing next but one to Ben showed signs of perturbation.
"Who is it?" asked the teacher.
"John Cotton."
"Do you belong to this class, John?"
"I ought to; I know enough," said he sullenly.
"Today you will oblige me by taking your place in the second class. In a few days I can decide whether you are able to go with this class."
John retired, discontented, but hopeful.
"I shall be glad when any of you are fit for promotion," proceeded Mabel. "At first it will be best for the classes to remain as they were during the last session."
So the organization continued. By noon the school was ready for work; lessons had been assigned in grammar, geography, and arithmetic, and the first class had read.
"I think we have done a good morning's work," said Miss Mabel Frost as the clock struck twelve. "I believe our afternoon session commences at one. I should like to have you all punctual."
In leaving the schoolroom to go to dinner, Mabel passed Ben Hadley. "You have been of great service to me, Ben," said she with a smile. "I really don't know how I should have got along without you."
Ben blushed with gratification. It was long since he had felt so proud and well pleased with himself.
"How do you like your new teacher, Ben?" asked his father at the dinner table.
"She's a trump, father," said Ben, warmly.
"Then you like her?" asked the Squire in some astonishment, for he understood perfectly well Ben's school reputation. Indeed, more than one teacher had come to him to complain of his son and heir's mischievous conduct, and he had had misgivings that Miss Frost would have occasion to do the same thing.
"Yes, I do," said Ben, emphatically. She knows how to treat a feller."
"Then there was no disturbance?"
"Not a speck."
The Squire was greatly surprised.
"I helped organize the school," proceeded Ben proudly.
"YOU!" exclaimed the Squire, in small capitals.
"Certainly. Why shouldn't I?
"I apprehend that you might need organizing yourself," said the Squire, smiling at what he considered a witty remark.
"Maybe I do, sometimes," said Ben," but I like Miss Frost, and I mean to help her."
"I didn't see much in her," said Mrs. Hadley, opening her thin lips disapprovingly. "In my opinion she dresses too much for a teacher."
"I don't see why she shouldn't if she can afford it," said Ben, who had constituted himself Mabel's champion.
She can't afford it on her wages," retorted his mother,
"I guess that's her lookout," said Ben, hitting the nail on the head.
"Ben's taken an uncommon fancy to the school mistress," said Squire Hadley, after Ben had returned to school.
"It won't last," said Mrs. Hadley, shaking her head. "He'll soon be up to his old tricks again, take my word for it. I don't believe she'll suit, either. A new broom sweeps clean. Just wait a while."
"If it does last -- I mean Ben's fancy -- it will be surprising," said the Squire. "He's been a thorn in the side of most of the teachers."
"It won't last," said Mrs. Hadley decidedly, and there the conversation dropped.
Chapter 4
Ben Hadley's conversion had indeed been sudden, and, as in most similar cases, he found some difficulty in staying converted. While his pride was flattered by the confidence reposed in him by Miss Frost, there were times when his old mischievous propensities almost overcame him. On the third day, as John Cotton was passing Ben's desk, the latter suddenly thrust out his foot into the passageway between the desks, and John tumbled over it, breaking
his slate.
"What's the matter?" asked Mabel, looking up from the book from which she was hearing another class.
"Ben Hadley tripped me up," said John, rubbing his shins, and looking ruefully at his broken slate.
"Did you, Ben?" asked Mabel.
Ben was already sorry and ashamed, as he would not have been under any other teacher. With all his faults he was a boy of truth, and he answered "Yes," rather sheepishly.
"You should be careful not to keep your feet in the aisle," said Miss Frost quietly. "I suppose you'll be willing to buy John a new slate."
"Yes," said Ben promptly, glad to have the matter end thus.
"I need a slate now," grumbled John.
"I'll lend you mine," said Ben at once, "and buy you a better one than I broke."
Mabel quite understood that the accident was " done on purpose." She did not want to humiliate Ben, but rather to keep him on his good behavior. So she was as friendly and confidential as ever, and Ben preserved his self respect. He kept his promise, and bought John the most expensive slate he could find in the village store.
Mabel very soon found herself mistress of the situation. Experience goes for a good deal, but it does not always bring with it the power of managing boys and girls. Mabel seemed to possess this instinctively. Before the week was out, all was running smoothly in her department, a little to the disappointment of Miss Clarissa Bassett, who felt that the school should have been hers.
Mabel still boarded at the hotel. She was quietly on the look out for a more desirable boarding place.
Among her scholars was a little girl of nine, whose cheap dress indicated poverty, but who possessed a natural refinement, which in her was more marked than in any other pupil. Mabel inquired into her circumstances, and learned that her father had been an officer in the army, who had died soon after his marriage. All that he left to his widow was a small cottage, and a pension of twenty dollars a month to which his services entitled her. On this small sum, and a little additional earned by sewing, Mrs. Kent supported her family, which, besides Rose, included a boy two years younger, who was in Miss Bassett's school. One afternoon Mabel walked home with Rose, and introduced herself to Mrs. Kent. She found her a delicate and really refined woman, such as she imagined Rose would grow to be in time. Everything in the house was inexpensive, but there were traces of good taste about the little establishment.
"I am glad to see you, Miss Frost," said Mrs. Kent, with quiet cordiality. "I have heard of you continually from Rose, who is your enthusiastic admirer."
"Rose and I are excellent friends," said Mabel, smiling kindly on the little girl. "She never gives me any trouble."
"I have never heard of any complaints from any of her teachers. One thing that I have heard surprises me, Miss Frost. You have wonderfully changed Ben Hadley, who had been the torment of previous teachers."
Mabel smiled. "I like Ben," she said. "From the first I saw that he had many good points. He was merely mischievous."
"Merely?" repeated Mrs. Kent smiling.
"Mischief may give a good deal of trouble, but the spirit that leads to it may be turned into another channel. This I think I have done with Ben. I find him very bright when he exerts his abilities.
"You understand managing boys, I can see clearly. Yet I hear that this is your first school."
"I have never entered a country school till I commenced teaching here."
"Your success is wonderful."
"Don't compliment me prematurely, Mrs. Kent. Failure may yet be in store for me."
"I think not."
"And I hope not."
"You are living at the hotel, I believe?"
"Only temporarily. I am looking for a pleasant boarding place."
"Mrs. Breck might be willing to take you. She has boarded several teachers before."
Mabel had met Mrs. Breck. She had the reputation of being a good housekeeper, but withal she was a virago, and her husband a long suffering victim of domestic tyranny. She was a thin little woman, with a shrewish face, who was seldom known to speak well of anybody.
"I don't think I should enjoy boarding with Mrs. Breck," said Mabel. "I'm sure I should like your house much better."
You don't know how plainly we live," said Mrs. Kent. "I should like very much to have you here, but my table doesn't compare with Mrs. Breck's."
"Let me make you a business proposition, Mrs. Kent," said Mabel, straightforwardly. "I don't pretend to be indifferent to a good table, and I know the small amount usually paid for a teacher's board would not justify you in changing your style of living. I propose, if you will be kind enough to receive me, to pay you ten dollars a week as my share of the expenses."
"Ten dollars ejaculated Mrs. Kent in utter amazement. "Why, Mrs. Breck only charges three."
"But I would rather pay the difference and board with you."
Excuse me, Miss Frost, but how can you? Your salary as teacher must be less than that."
I see that I must tell you a secret, Mrs. Kent. I depend on your not making it public. I am quite able to live without touching a penny of my salary."
"I am glad of that," said Mrs. Kent, "but it seems so extortionate, my accepting ten dollars a week!"
"Then don't let any one know how much I pay you. It will imperil my secret if you do. Am I to consider myself accepted?"
"I shall be very glad of your company, Miss Frost, and I know Rose will be delighted."
"Will you come here, really and truly, Miss Frost?" asked Rose eagerly.
"Since your mother is willing, Rose."
Rose clapped her hands in delight, and showed clearly how acceptable the arrangement was to her.
Mabel's choice of a boarding place excited general surprise in Granville. "I wish the school teacher joy of her boarding place," said Mrs. Breck, tossing her head. "Why, Widder Kent has meat only once or twice a week; and once, when I called about supper time, I noticed what she had on the table. There wasn't nothing but cold bread and butter, a little apple sauce, and tea. It'll be something of a change from the hotel."
"She lives better now," said Mrs. Cotton. (This was several days after Mabel had become an inmate of Mrs. Kent's house.) "I called yesterday on purpose to see what she had for supper, and what do you think? She had cold meat, eggs, preserves, warm bread, and two kinds of pies"{sic}
"Then all I can say is, that the woman will be ruined before the summer's out," said Mrs. Breck, solemnly. "What the school teacher pays her won't begin to pay for keepin' such a table as that. It's more'n I provide, myself, and I don't think my table is beat by many in Granville. Mrs. Kent's a fool to pamper a common school teacher in any such way."
"You're right, Mrs. Breck; but, poor woman, I suppose she has to. That Miss Frost probably forces her to it. I declare it's very inconsiderate, for she must know the widow's circumstances."
"It's more than inconsiderate -- it's sinful," said Mrs. Breck, solemnly.
"Mrs. Kent can't be very prudent to go to such expense," said the other party to this important discussion.
"Miss Frost flatters Rose, and gets around the mother in that way. She's a very artful young woman, in my opinion. The way she pets that Hadley boy, they say, is positively shameful."
"So I think. She wants to keep on the right side of the School Committee, so as to get the school another term."
"Of course. That's clear enough," chimed in Mrs. Breck. "I should like to know, for my part, a little more about the girl. Nobody seems to know who she is or where she came from."
"Squire Hadley engaged her on Mary Bridgman's recommendation, I hear."
Mrs. Breck sniffed. "Mary Bridgman may know how to cut dresses," she remarked, "though it's my opinion there's plenty better; but it's a new thing to engage teachers on dressmakers' recommendations. Besides, there's Clarissa Bassett, one of our own folks, wanted the school, and it's given to a stranger."
Miss Bassett boarded with Mrs. Breck, and this may have warped the good lady's judgment.
"I don't know as I'm in favor of Clarissa," said Mrs. Cotton, "but there's others, no doubt, who would be glad to take it."
"As for Miss Frost, I don't see how she is able to dress so well. That gown she wears to school must have cost two weeks' salary, and I've seen her with two other dresses."
"And all new?"
"Yes, they don't look as if they had had much wear."
"Perhaps she's seen better days, and has saved them dresses from the wreck."
"But you forget that they look new."
"Well, I give it up. It's clear she puts all her money on her back. A pretty example for our girls!"
Such were the comments of the mothers. Among the children, on the other hand, Mabel grew more and more popular. She succeeded in inspiring an interest in study such as had not been known before. She offered to teach a class in French and one in Latin, though it entailed extra labor.
"She knows an awful lot, father," said Ben Hadley.
"She was my selection," said the Squire complacently. "You predicted she would make a failure of it, Mrs. Hadley. The fact is we have never had a better teacher."
"The school term isn't closed," said Mrs. Hadley oracularly. "Appearances are deceitful."
It is rather singular that Mabel was favorably regarded by the fathers, while the mothers, to a man, were against her. There is something wrong in this sentence, but let it stand.
Chapter 5
In an old fashioned house a little east of the village lived the Rev. Theophilus Wilson, pastor of the Congregational Church in Granville. The house was considerably out of repair, and badly needed painting. It belonged to Squire Hadley, of whom the minister hired it, together with an acre of land adjoining, for seventy five dollars a year. An expenditure of one or two hundred dollars would have improved its appearance and made it a little more habitable, and the Squire, who was not a mean man, would have consented to this outlay but for the strenuous opposition of his wife.
"It's good enough for the minister," she said. "Ministers shouldn't be too particular about their earthly dwellings. I believe in ministers being unworldly, for my part."
A Fancy of Hers Page 3