CHAPTERI。

AsthemasteroftheIndianSpringschoolemergedfromthepinewoodsintothelittleclearingbeforetheschoolhouse，hestoppedwhistling，puthishatlessjauntilyonhishead，threwawaysomewildflowershehadgatheredonhisway，andotherwiseassumedtheseveredemeanorofhisprofessionandhismatureage——whichwasatleasttwenty。Notthatheusuallyfeltthisanassumption；itwasafirmconvictionofhisseriousnaturethatheimpressedothers，ashedidhimself，withtheblendedausterityandennuiofdeepandexhaustedexperience。

ThebuildingwhichwasassignedtohimandhisflockbytheBoardofEducationofTuolumneCounty，California，hadbeenoriginallyachurch。Itstillboreafadedodorofsanctity，mingled，however，withalaterandslightlyalcoholicbreathofpoliticaldiscussion，theresultofitsweeklyoccupationundertheauthorityoftheBoardasaTribunefortheenunciationofpartyprinciplesanddevotiontotheLibertiesofthePeople。Therewereafewdog-

earedhymn-booksontheteacher’sdesk，andtheblackboardbutimperfectlyhidanimpassionedappealtothecitizensofIndianSpringto"Rally"forStebbinsasSupervisor。Themasterhadbeenstruckwiththesizeoftheblacktypeinwhichthisplacardwasprinted，andwithashrewdperceptionofitsvaluetotheroundwanderingeyesofhissmallerpupils，allowedittoremainasapleasingexampleoforthography。Unfortunately，althoughsubdividedandspeltbytheminitsseparateletterswithpainfulandperfectaccuracy，itwascollectivelyknownas"Wally，"anditsgeneralimportproductiveofvaguehilarity。

Takingalargekeyfromhispocket，themasterunlockedthedoorandthrewitopen，steppingbackwithacertainprecautionbegottenofhisexperienceinoncefindingasmallbutsociablerattlesnakecoiledupnearthethreshold。Aslightdisturbancewhichfollowedhisintrusionshowedthevalueofthatprecaution，andthefactthattheroomhadbeenalreadyusedforvariousprivateandpeacefulgatheringsofanimatednature。Anirregularattendanceofyellow-birdsandsquirrelsdismissedthemselveshurriedlythroughthebrokenfloorandwindows，butagoldenlizard，stiffenedsuddenlyintostonyfrightontheedgeofanopenarithmetic，touchedtheheartofthemastersostronglybyitsresemblancetosomekept-inandforgottenscholarwhohadsuccumbedoverthetaskhecouldnotaccomplish，thathewasseizedwithcompunction。

Recoveringhimself，andre-establishing，asitwere，thedecorousdisciplineoftheroombyclappinghishandsandsaying"Sho！"hepassedupthenarrowaisleofbenches，replacingtheforgottenarithmetic，andpickingupfromthedeskshereandtherecertainfragmentarypiecesofplasterandcrumblingwoodthathadfallenfromtheceiling，asifthisgroveofAcademushadbeensheddingitsleavesovernight。Whenhereachedhisowndeskheliftedthelidandremainedforsomemomentsmotionless，gazingintoit。Hisapparentmeditationhoweverwassimplythecombinedreflectionofhisownfeaturesinasmallpocket-mirrorinitsrecessesandaperplexingdoubtinhismindwhetherthesacrificeofhisbuddingmoustachewasnotessentialtotheprofessionalausterityofhiscountenance。Buthewaspresentlyawareofthesoundofsmallvoices，lightcries，andbrieflaughterscatteredatvagueandremotedistancesfromtheschoolhouse——notunlikethebirdsandsquirrelshehadjustdispossessed。Herecognizedbythesesignsthatitwasnineo’clock，andhisscholarswereassembling。

Theycameintheirusualdesultoryfashion——thefashionofcountryschool-childrentheworldover——irregularly，spasmodically，andalwaysasifaccidentally；afewhand-in-hand，othersdrivenaheadofordroppedbehindtheirelders；someinstragglinggroupsmoreorlesscoherentandattimesonlyconnectedbyfar-offintermediatevoicesscatteredonaspaceofhalfamile，butneverquitealone；

alwayspreoccupiedbysomethingelsethantheactualbusinessonhand；appearingsuddenlyfromditches，behindtrunks，andbetweenfence-rails；croppingupinunexpectedplacesalongtheroadaftervagueandpurposelessdetours——seeminglygoinganywhereandeverywherebuttoschool！Sounlooked-for，infact，wastheirfinalarrivalthatthemaster，whohadafewmomentsbeforefailedtodescryasingletornstrawhatorruinedsun-bonnetabovehisvisiblehorizon，wasalwaysstartledtofindthemsuddenlyunderhiswindows，asif，likethebirds，theyhadalightedfromthetrees。

Norwastheirmoralattitudetowardstheirdutyanythemorevaried；

theyalwaysarrivedasiftiredandreluctant，withadoubtingsulkinessthatperhapsafterwardsbeamedintoacharminghypocrisy，butinvariablytemporizingwiththeirinstinctsuntilthelastmoment，andonlyrelinquishingpossibletruancyontheverythreshold。Evenaftertheyweremarshalledontheirusualbenchestheygazedateachothereverymorningwithaperfectlyfreshastonishmentandadailyrecurringenjoymentofsomehiddenjokeinthistremendousrencontre。

Ithadbeenthehabitofthemastertoutilizethesepreliminaryvagranciesofhislittleflockbyinvitingthemonassemblingtorecountanyinterestingincidentoftheirjourneyhither；orfailingthis，fromtheirnotinfrequentshynessinexpressingwhathadsecretlyinterestedthem，anyeventthathadoccurredwithintheirknowledgesincetheylastmet。Hehaddonethis，partlytogivethemtimetorecoverthemselvesinthatmoreformalatmosphere，andpartly，Ifear，because，notwithstandinghisconscientiousgravity，itgreatlyamusedhim。Italsodivertedthemfromtheirusualround-eyed，breathlesscontemplationofhimself——aregularmorninginspectionwhichgenerallyembracedeverydetailofhisdressandappearance，andmadeeverychangeordeviationthesubjectofwhisperedcommentorstonyastonishment。Heknewthattheyknewhimmorethoroughlythanhedidhimself，andshrankfromtheintuitivevisionofthesesmallclairvoyants。

"Well？"saidthemastergravely。

Therewastheusualintervalofbashfulhesitation，vergingonnervoushilarityorhypocriticalattention。Forthelastsixmonthsthisquestionbythemasterhadbeeninvariablyreceivedeachmorningasaveiledpleasantrywhichmightleadtobalefulinformationorconcealsomequeryoutofthedreadfulbooksbeforehim。Yetthisveryelementofdangerhaditsfascinations。JohnnyFilgee，asmallboy，blushedviolently，and，withoutgettingup，beganhurriedlyinahighkey，"Tigeithgot，"andthensuddenlysubsidedintoawhisper。

"Speakup，Johnny，"saidthemasterencouragingly。

"Please，sir，itain’tanythin’he’sseed——noranyrealnews，"saidRupertFilgee，hiselderbrother，risingwithfamilyconcernandfrowningopenlyuponJohnny；"it’sjesthisfoolishness；heoughterbelicked。"Findinghimselfunexpectedlyonhisfeet，andapparentlyattheendofalongspeech，hecoloredalso，andthensaidhurriedly，"JimmySnyder——HEseedsuthin’。AskHIM！"andsatdown——arecognizedhero。

Everyeye，includingthemaster’s，wasturnedonJimmySnyder。Butthatyouthfulobserver，instantlydivinghisheadandshouldersintohisdesk，remainedtheregurglingasifunderwater。Twoorthreenearesthimendeavoredwithsomestrugglingtobringhimtoanintelligiblesurfaceagain。Themasterwaitedpatiently。

JohnnyFilgeetookadvantageofthediversiontobeginagaininahighkey，"Tigeithgotthix，"andsubsided。

"Come，Jimmy，"saidthemaster，withatouchofperemptoriness。

Thusadjured，JimmySnydercameupglowingly，andbristlingwithfullstopsandexclamationpoints。"Seedablackb’arcomin’outerDaves’woods，"hesaidexcitedly。"Nightomeezyoube。’Nbigezahoss；’nsnarlin’！’nsnappin’！——likegosh！Kemalong——ker——

clumptorordsme。Reckonedhe’dskeerme！Didn’tskeermeworthacent。Iheavedarockathim——Ididnow！"（indefianceofmurmursofderisivecomment）——"’nheslid。Efhe’dkemupfurderI’dhevupwithmyslateandswottedhimoverthesnoot——betyourboots！"

Themasterherethoughtfittointerfere，andgravelypointoutthatthehabitofstrikingbearsaslargeasahorsewithaschool-

slatewasequallydangeroustotheslate（whichwasalsothepropertyofTuolumneCounty）andtothestriker；andthattheverb"toswot"andthenounsubstantive"snoot"werelikewiseindefensible，andnottobetolerated。ThusadmonishedJimmySnyder，albeitunshakeninhisfaithinhisowncourage，satdown。

Aslightpauseensued。TheyouthfulFilgee，takingadvantageofit，openedinahigherkey，"Tigeith"——butthemaster’sattentionwasheredivertedbythesearchingeyesofOctaviaDean，agirlofeleven，whoafterthefashionofhersexpreferredapersonalrecognitionofherpresencebeforeshespoke。Succeedingincatchinghiseye，shethrewbackherlonghairfromhershoulderswithaneasyhabitualgesture，rose，andwithafaintaccessionofcolorsaid：

"CressyMcKinstrycamehomefromSacramento。Mrs。McKinstrytoldmothershe’scomin’backheretoschool。"

Themasterlookedupwithanalacrityperhapsinconsistentwithhiscynicalausterity。Seeingtheyounggirlcuriouslywatchinghimwithanexpectantsmile，heregrettedit。CressyMcKinstry，whowassixteenyearsold，hadbeenoneofthepupilshehadfoundattheschoolwhenhefirstcame。Butashehadalsofoundthatshewasthereintheextraordinaryattitudeofbeing"engaged"tooneSethDavis，afellow-pupilofnineteen，andasmostofthecourtshipwascarriedonfreelyandunceremoniouslyduringschool-

hourswiththefullpermissionofthemaster’spredecessor，themasterhadbeenobligedtopointouttotheparentsofthedevotedcoupletheembarrassingeffectsofthisassociationonthedisciplineoftheschool。Theresulthadbeenthewithdrawalofthelovers，andpossiblythegood-willoftheparents。Thereturnoftheyoungladywasconsequentlyamatterofsomesignificance。

Hadthemaster’sprotestbeenaccepted，orhadtheengagementitselfbeenbrokenoff？

Eitherwasnotimprobable。HismomentarylossofattentionwasJohnnyFilgee’sgreatgain。

"Tige，"saidJohnny，withsuddenandalarmingdistinctness，"ithgotthixpupths——mothlyyaller。"

InthelaughwhichfollowedthislongwithheldannouncementofanincreaseinthefamilyofJohnny’syellowanddisreputablesetter"Tiger，"whousuallyaccompaniedhimtoschoolandhowledoutside，themasterjoinedwithmarkeddistinctness。Thenhesaid，withequallymarkedseverity，"Books！"Thelittleleveewasended，andschoolbegan。

Itcontinuedfortwohourswithshortsighs，corrugationsofsmallforeheads，thecomplainingcriesandscratchingsofslatepencilsoverslates，andothersignsofminoranguishamongthemoreyouthfuloftheflock；andwithmoreorlesswhisperings，movementsofthelips，andunconscioussoliloquyamongtheolderpupils。Themastermovedslowlyupanddowntheaislewithawordofencouragementorexplanationhereandthere，stoppingwithhishandsbehindhimtogazeabstractedlyoutofthewindowstothewonderingenvyofthelittleones。Afainthum，asofinvisibleinsects，graduallypervadedtheschool；themorepersistentdroningofalargebeehadbecomedangerouslysoporific。Thehotbreathofthepineswithouthadinvadedthedoorsandwindows；thewarpedshinglesandweather-boardingattimescreakedandsnappedundertheraysoftheverticalanduncloudedsun。Agentleperspirationbrokeoutlikeamildepidemicintheinfantclass；littlecurlsbecamedamp，brieflasheslimp，roundeyesmoist，andsmalleyelidsheavy。Themasterhimselfstarted，andawokeoutofaperilousdreamofothereyesandhairtocollecthimselfseverely。Fortheirresolute，half-embarrassed，half-lazyfigureofamanhadhalteddoubtinglybeforetheporchandopendoor。Luckilythechildren，whowerefacingthemasterwiththeirbackstotheentrance，didnotseeit。

Yetthefigurewasneitheralarmingnorunfamiliar。ThemasteratoncerecognizeditasBenDabney，otherwiseknownas"UncleBen，"agood-humoredbutnotover-brightminer，whooccupiedasmallcabinonanunambitiousclaimintheoutskirtsofIndianSpring。Hisavunculartitlewasevidentlyonlyanironicaltributetohisamiableincompetencyandheavygood-nature，forhewasstillayoungmanwithnofamilyties，andbyreasonofhissingularshynessnotevenavisitorinthefewfamiliesoftheneighborhood。

Asthemasterlookedup，hehadanirritatingrecollectionthatBenhadbeenalreadyhauntinghimforthelasttwodays，alternatelyappearinganddisappearinginhispathtoandfromschoolasamorethanusuallyreservedandbashfulghost。This，tothemaster’scynicalmind，clearlyindicatedthat，likemostghosts，hehadsomethingofessentiallyselfishimporttocommunicate。Catchingtheapparition’shalf-appealingeye，heproceededtoexorciseitwithaportentousfrownandshakeofthehead，thatcausedittotimidlywaneandfallawayfromtheporch，onlyhowevertoreappearandwaxlargerafewminuteslateratoneofthesidewindows。Theinfantclasshailinghisappearanceasaheaven-sentboon，themasterwasobligedtowalktothedoorandcommandhimsternlyaway，when，retreatingtothefence，hemountedtheuppermostrail，anddrawingaknifefromhispocket，cutalongsplinterfromtherail，andbegantowhittleitinpatientandmeditativesilence。

Butwhenrecesswasdeclared，andtherelievedfeelingsofthelittleflockhadventintheclearingaroundtheschoolhouse，thefewwhorushedtothespotfoundthatUncleBenhadalreadydisappeared。Whethertheappearanceofthechildrenwastooinconsistentwithhisghostlymission，orwhetherhisheartfailedhimatthelastmoment，themastercouldnotdetermine。Yet，distastefulastheimpendinginterviewpromisedtobe，themasterwasvaguelyandirritatinglydisappointed。

Afewhourslater，whenschoolwasbeingdismissed，themasterfoundOctaviaDeanlingeringnearhisdesk。Lookingintothegirl’smischievouseyes，hegood-humoredlyansweredtheirexpectationbyreferringtohermorning’snews。"IthoughtMissMcKinstryhadbeenmarriedbythistime，"hesaidcarelessly。

Octavia，swinginghersatchellikeacenser，asifshewereperformingsomeactofthurificationoverhercompletedtasks，replieddemurely："Ohno！dearno——notTHAT。"

"Soitwouldseem，"saidthemaster。

"Ireckonsheneverkalkilatedto，either，"continuedOctavia，slylylookingupfromthecornerofherlashes。

"Indeed！"

"No——shewasjustfunningwithSethDavis——that’sall。"

"Funningwithhim？"

"Yes，sir。Kinderfoolin’him，youknow。"

"Kinderfoolin’him！"

Foraninstantthemasterfeltithisprofessionaldutytoprotestagainstthismostunmaidenlyandfrivoloustreatmentofthematrimonialengagement，butasecondglanceatthesignificantfaceofhisyouthfulauditormadehimconcludethatherinstinctiveknowledgeofherownsexcouldbebettertrustedthanhisimperfecttheories。Heturnedtowardshisdeskwithoutspeaking。Octaviagaveanextraswingtohersatchel，tossingitoverhershoulderwithacertainsmallcoquettishnessandmovedtowardsthedoor。AsshedidsotheinfantFilgeefromthesafevantageoftheporchwherehehadlingeredwassuddenlyimpelledtoacrowningaudacity！

Asifstruckwithanoriginalidea，butapparentlyaddressinghimselftospace，hecriedout，"CrethyM’Kinthrylikthteacher，"

andinstantlyvanished。

Puttingtheseincidentssternlyaside，themasteraddressedhimselftothetaskofsettingafewcopiesforthenextdayasthevoicesofhisdepartingflockfadedfromtheporch。Presentlyasilencefelluponthelittleschool-house。Throughtheopendooracool，restfulbreathstolegentlyasifnaturewereagainstealthilytakingpossessionofherown。Asquirrelboldlycameacrosstheporch，afewtwitteringbirdscharginginstopped，beattheairhesitatinglyforamomentwiththeirwings，andfellbackwithbashfullyprotestingbreastsaslantagainsttheopendoorandtheunlooked-forspectacleofthesilentoccupant。Thentherewasanothermovementofintrusion，butthistimehuman，andthemasterlookedupangrilytobeholdUncleBen。

Heenteredwithaslowexasperatingstep，liftinghislargebootsveryhighandputtingthemdownagainsoftlyasifhewereafraidofsomeinsecurityinthefloor，orfigurativelyrecognizedthefactthatthepathwaysofknowledgewerethornyanddifficult。

Reachingthemaster’sdeskandtheministeringpresenceaboveit，hestoppedawkwardly，andwiththerimofhissoftfelthatendeavoredtowipefromhisfacethemeeksmileithadwornwhenheentered。ItchancedalsothathehadhaltedbeforetheminutestooloftheinfantFilgee，andhislargefigureinstantlyassumedsuchBrobdingnagianproportionsincontrastthathebecamemoreembarrassedthanever。Themastermadenoattempttorelievehim，butregardedhimwithcoldinterrogation。

"Ireckoned，"hebegan，leaningonehandonthemaster’sdeskwithaffectedease，ashedustedhislegwithhishatwiththeother，"I

reckoned——thatis——Iallowed——Iortersay——thatI’dfindyealoneatthistime。Yegin’rallyare，yeknow。It’sanice，soothin’，restful，stoodioustime，whenamankin，sotospeak，runbackonhiseddicationandthinkofallheeverknowed。Ye’rejistlikeme，andyeseeIsorterspottedyourwaystoonct。"

"Thenwhydidyoucomeherethismorninganddisturbtheschool？"

demandedthemastersharply。

"That’sso，Isorterslippedupthar，didn’tI？"saidUncleBenwithasmileofruefulassent。"YouseeIdidn’tallowtoCOMEIN

then，buton’ytohangroundaleetleandkindergetusedtoit，andittome。"

"Usedtowhat？"saidthemasterimpatiently，albeitwithaslightsofteningathisintruder’spenitentexpression。

UncleBendidnotreplyimmediately，butlookedaroundasifforaseat，triedoneortwobenchesandadeskwithhislargehandasiftestingtheirsecurity，andfinallyabandoningtheideaasdangerous，seatedhimselfontheraisedplatformbesidethemaster’schair，havingpreviouslydusteditwiththeflapofhishat。Finding，however，thattheattitudewasnotconducivetoexplanation，hepresentlyroseagain，andpickinguponeoftheschool-booksfromthemaster’sdeskeyeditunskilfullyupsidedown，andthensaidhesitatingly，——

"Ireckonyeain’tusin’Dobell’s’Rithmetichere？"

"No，"saidthemaster。

"That’sbad。’Pearstobeplayedout——thatDobellfeller。IwasbroughtuponDobell。AndParsings’Grammar？Yedon’tseemtobeausingParsings’Grammareither？"

"No，"saidthemaster，relentingstillmoreasheglancedatUncleBen’sperplexedfacewithafaintsmile。

"AndIreckonyou’dbesayingthesameofJones’’StronomyandAlgebry？Thingshevchanged。You’vegotallthenewstylehere，"

hecontinued，withaffectedcarelessness，butstudiouslyavoidingthemaster’seye。"ForamanezwosbroughtuponParsings，Dobell，andJones，thardon’tappeartobemuchshownowadays。"

Themasterdidnotreply。ObservingseveralshadesofcolorchaseeachotheronUncleBen’sface，hebenthisowngravelyoverhisbooks。Theactappearedtorelievehiscompanion，whowithhiseyesstillturnedtowardsthewindowwenton：

"Efyou’dhadthembooks——whichyouhaven’t——Ihaditinmymindtoaskyousuthen’。Ihadanideaof——of——sortofreviewingmyeddication。Kindergoingovertheoldbooksagin——jisttopassthetime。Sorterrunninginyerarterschoolhoursanddoin’alittlepractisin’，eh？Youlookingonmeasanextryscholar——andI

payin’yeassich——butkeepin’it’twixtourselves，youknow——justforapastime，eh？"

Asthemastersmilinglyraisedhishead，hebecamesuddenlyandostentatiouslyattractedtothewindow。

"Themjaybirdsoutthereismightypeart，comingrightuptotheschool-house！Ireckontheythinkitsorto’restfultoo。"

"Butifyoureallymeanit，couldn’tyouusethesebooks，UncleBen？"saidthemastercheerfully。"Idaresaythere’slittledifference——theprincipleisthesame，youknow。"

UncleBen’sface，whichhadsuddenlybrightened，assuddenlyfell。

Hetookthebookfromthemaster’shandwithoutmeetinghiseyes，helditatarm’slength，turneditoverandthenlaiditsoftlydownuponthedeskasifitweresomeexcessivelyfragilearticle。

"Certingly，"hemurmured，withassumedreflectiveease。"Certingly。

Theprinciple’sallthere。"Neverthelesshewasquitebreathlessandafewbeadsofperspirationstoodoutuponhissmooth，blankforehead。

"Andastowriting，forinstance，"continuedthemasterwithincreasingheartinessashetooknoticeofthesephenomena，"youknowANYcopy-bookwilldo。"

HehandedhispencarelesslytoUncleBen。Thelargehandthattookittimidlynotonlytrembledbutgraspeditwithsuchfatalandhopelessunfamiliaritythatthemasterwasfaintowalktothewindowandobservethebirdsalso。

"They’remightybold——themjays，"saidUncleBen，layingdownthepenwithscrupulousexactitudebesidethebookandgazingathisfingersasifhehadachievedamiracleofdelicatemanipulation。

"Theydon’tseemtobeafearedofnothing，dothey？"

Therewasanotherpause。Themastersuddenlyturnedfromthewindow。"Itellyouwhat，UncleBen，"hesaidwithpromptdecisionandunshakengravity，"theonlythingforyoutodoistojustthrowoverDobellandParsonsandJonesandtheoldquillpenthatIseeyou’reaccustomedto，andstartinfreshasifyou’dneverknownthem。Forget’emall，youknow。Itwillbemightyhardofcoursetodothat，"hecontinued，lookingoutofthewindow，"butyoumustdoit。"

Heturnedback，thebrightnessthattransfiguredUncleBen’sfaceatthatmomentbroughtaslightmoistureintohisowneyes。Thehumbleseekerofknowledgesaidhurriedlythathewouldtry。

"Andbeginagainatthebeginning，"continuedthemastercheerfully。

"Exactlylikeoneofthose——infact，asifyouREALLYwereachildagain。"

"That’sso，"saidUncleBen，rubbinghishandsdelightedly，"that’sme！Why，that’sjestwhatIwassayin’toRoop"——

"Thenyou’vealreadybeentalkingaboutit？"interceptedthemasterinsomesurprise。"Ithoughtyouwanteditkeptsecret？"

"Well，yes，"respondedUncleBendubiously。"ButyouseeIsorteragreedwithRoopFilgeethatifyoutooktomyideasanddidn’tobject，I’dgivehimtwobits*everytimehe’dkemhereandhelpmeofanarternoonwhenyouwasawayandkinderstandguardaroundtheschool-house，youknow，soastokeepthefellowsoff。AndRoop’smightysharpforaboy，yeknow。"

*Twobits，i。e。，twenty-fivecents。

ThemasterreflectedamomentandconcludedthatUncleBenwasprobablyright。RupertFilgee，whowasahandsomeboyoffourteen，wasalsoastronglyoriginalcharacterwhoseyouthfulcynicismandblunt，honesttemperhadalwaysattractedhim。Hewasafairscholar，withapossibilityofbeingabetterone，andtheproposedarrangementwithUncleBenwouldnotinterferewiththedisciplineofschoolhoursandmighthelpthemboth。Neverthelessheaskedgood-humoredly，"Butcouldn’tyoudothismoresecurelyandeasilyinyourownhouse？Imightlendyouthebooks，youknow，andcometoyoutwiceaweek。"

UncleBen’sradiantfacesuddenlyclouded。"Itwouldn’tbeexactlythesamekindo’gametomean’Roop，"hesaidhesitatingly。"Youseethar’stheideao’theschool-house，yeknow，andtherestfulnessandthequiet，andthegen’ralairo’study。Andtheboysaroundtownezwouldn’tthinknothin’o’trapsen’intomycabiniftheyspottedwhatIwasuptothar，wouldneverdreamo’

huntingmehere。"

"Verywell，"saidthemaster，"letitbeherethen。"Observingthathiscompanionseemedtobestrugglingwithaninarticulategratitudeandanapparentlyinextricablebuckskinpurseinhispocket，headdedquietly，"I’llsetyouafewcopiestocommencewith，"andbegantolayoutafewunfinishedexamplesofMasterJohnnyFilgee’sscholasticachievements。

"AfterthankingYOU，Mr。Ford，"saidUncleBen，faintly，"efyou’lljestkindersignify，youknow，whatyouconsiderafair"——

Mr。Fordturnedquicklyanddexterouslyofferedhishandtohiscompanioninsuchamannerthathewasobligedtowithdrawhisownfromhispockettograspitinreturn。"You’reverywelcome，"saidthemaster，"andasIcanonlypermitthissortofthinggratuitously，you’dbetterNOTletmeknowthatyouproposegivinganythingeventoRupert。"HeshookUncleBen’sperplexedhandagain，brieflyexplainedwhathehadtodo，andsayingthathewouldnowleavehimaloneafewminutes，hetookhishatandwalkedtowardsthedoor。

"Thenyoureckon，"saidUncleBenslowly，regardingtheworkbeforehim，"thatI’dbetterjestchuckthemDobellfellersoverboard？"

"Icertainlyshould，"respondedthemasterwithinfinitegravity。

"Andsorterwaltzinfresh，likeonethemchildren？"

"Likeachild，"noddedthemasterashelefttheporch。

Afewmomentslater，ashewasfinishinghiscigarintheclearing，hepausedtoglanceinattheschool-roomwindow。UncleBen，strippedofhiscoatandwaistcoat，withhisshirt-sleevesrolleduponhispowerfularms，hadevidentlycastDobellandallmisleadingextraneousaidaside，andwiththeperspirationstandingoutonhisfoolishforehead，andhisperplexedfaceclosetothemaster’sdesk，waspainfullygropingalongtowardsthelightinthetotteringanddevioustracksofMasterJohnnyFilgee，likeaverychildindeed！

CHAPTERII。

Asthechildrenwereslowlystragglingtotheirplacesthenextmorning，themasterwaitedforanopportunitytospeaktoRupert。

Thatbeautifulbutscarcelyamiableyouthwas，asusual，surroundedandimpededbyagroupofhissmallfemaleadmirers，forwhom，itisbutjusttoadd，hehadasupremecontempt。Possiblyitwasthishealthyqualitythatinclinedthemastertowardshim，anditwasconsequentlywithsomesatisfactionthatheoverheardfragmentsofhisopenlydisparagingcommentsuponhisworshippers。

"There！"toClarindaJones，"don’tflop！Anddon’tYOU，"toOctaviaDean，"goonbreathingovermyheadlikethat。Ifthere’sanythingIhateit’shavingagirlbreathingroundme。Yes，youwere！Ifeltitinmyhair。AndYOUtoo——you’realwayssnoopin’

andsnoodgin’。Oh，yes，youwanttoknowWHYI’vegotanextrycopy-bookandanother’Rithmetic，MissCuriosity。Well，whatwouldyougivetoknow？Wanttoseeifthey’rePRETTY"（withinfinitescornattheadjective）。"No，theyain’tPRETTY。That’sallyougirlsthinkabout——what’sPRETTYandwhat’scurious！Quitnow！

Come！Don’tyeseeteacherlookin’atyou？Ain’tyouashamed？"

Hecaughtthemaster’sbeckoningeyeandcameforward，slightlyabashed，withaflushofirritationstillonhishandsomeface，andhischestnutcurlsslightlyrumpled。One，whichOctaviahadcovertlyaccentedbytwistingroundherforefinger，stooduplikeacrestonhishead。

"I’vetoldUncleBenthatyoumighthelphimhereafterschoolhours，"saidthemaster，takinghimaside。"Youmaythereforeomityourwritingexerciseinthemorninganddoitintheafternoon。"

Theboy’sdarkeyessparkled。"Andifitwouldbeallthesametoyou，sir，"headdedearnestly，"youmightsortergiveoutinschoolthatIwastobekeptin。"

"I’mafraidthatwouldhardlydo，"saidthemaster，muchamused。

"Butwhy？"

Rupert’scolordeepened。"Soeztokeepthemdarnedgirlsfromfoolin’roundmeandfollowin’mebackhere。"

"Wewillattendtothat，"saidthemastersmiling；amomentafterheaddedmoreseriously，"Isupposeyourfatherknowsthatyouaretoreceivemoneyforthis？Andhedoesn’tobject？"

"He！Ohno！"returnedRupertwithaslightlookofastonishment，andthesamegeneralsuggestionofpatronizinghisprogenitorthathehadpreviouslyshowntohisyoungerbrother。"Youneedn’tmindHIM。"InrealityFilgeepere，awidoweroftwoyears’standing，hadtacitlyallowedthedisciplineofhisfamilytodevolveuponRupert。Rememberingthis，themastercouldonlysay，"Verywell，"

andgood-naturedlydismissthepupiltohisseatandthesubjectfromhismind。Thelastlaggardhadjustslippedin，themasterhadglancedovertheoccupiedbencheswithhishanduponhiswarningbell，whentherewasaquicksteponthegravel，aflutterofskirtslikethesoundofalightingbirds，andayoungwomanlightlyentered。

Intherounded，untouched，anduntroubledfreshnessofhercheekandchin，andtheforwarddroopofherslenderneck，sheappearedagirloffifteen；inherdevelopedfigureandthematurerdraperyofherfullskirtssheseemedawoman；inhercombinationofnaiverecklessnessandperfectunderstandingofherpersonshewasboth。

Inspiteofafewschool-booksthatjauntilyswungfromastrapinherglovedhand，sheborenoresemblancetoapupil；inherprettygownofdottedmuslinwithbowsofblueribbonontheskirtandcorsage，andaclusterofrosesinherbelt，shewasasinconsistentandincongruoustotheothersasafashion-platewouldhavebeeninthedryanddog-earedpagesbeforethem。Yetshecarrieditoffwithademureminglingofthenaiveteofyouthandtheaplombofawoman，andasshesweptdownthenarrowaisle，buryingafewsmallwonderingheadsintheoverflowofherflounces，therewasnodoubtofherreceptioninthearchsmilethatdimpledhercheek。Droppingahalfcurtseytothemaster，theonlysuggestionofherequalitywiththeothers，shetookherplaceatoneofthelargerdesks，andrestingherelbowonthelidbegantoquietlyremovehergloves。ItwasCressyMcKinstry。

Irritatedanddisturbedatthegirl’sunceremoniousentrance，themasterforthemomentrecognizedhersalutationcoldly，andaffectedtoignoreherelaborateappearance。Thesituationwasembarrassing。Hecouldnotdeclinetoreceiveherasshewasnolongeraccompaniedbyherlover，norcouldhepleadentireignoranceofherbrokenengagement；whiletopointouttheglaringinappropriatenessofcostumewouldbeafreshinterferenceheknewIndianSpringwouldscarcelytolerate。Hecouldonlyacceptsuchexplanationasshemightchoosetogive。Heranghisbellasmuchtoavertthedirectedeyesofthechildrenastobringthescenetoaclimax。

Shehadremovedherglovesandwasstandingup。

"IreckonIcangoonwhereIleftoff？"shesaidlazily，pointingtothebooksshehadbroughtwithher。

"Forthepresent，"saidthemasterdryly。

Thefirstclasswascalled。Later，whenhisdutybroughthimtoherside，hewassurprisedtofindthatshewasevidentlyalreadypreparedwithconsecutivelessons，asifshewereserenelyunconsciousofanydoubtofherreturn，andascoollyasifshehadonlyleftschoolthedaybefore。Herstudieswerestillquiteelementary，forCressyMcKinstryhadneverbeenabrilliantscholar，butheperceived，withacynicaldoubtofitspermanency，thatshehadbestowedunusualcareuponherpresentperformance。

Therewasmoreoveracertaindefianceinit，asifshehadresolvedtostopanyobjectiontoherreturnonthescoreofdeficiencies。

Hewasobligedinself-defencetotakeparticularnoteofsomeringsshewore，andalargebraceletthatostentatiouslyglitteredonherwhitearm——whichhadalreadyattractedtheattentionofhercompanions，andpromptedtheaudiblecommentfromJohnnyFilgeethatitwas"trulygold。"Withoutmeetinghereyeshecontentedhimselfwithseverelyrestrainingtheglancesofthechildrenthatwanderedinherdirection。Shehadneverbeenquitepopularwiththeschoolinherpreviousroleoffiancee，andonlyOctaviaDeanandoneortwooldergirlsappreciateditsmysteriousfascination；

whilethebeautifulRupert，secureinhisavowedpredilectionforthemiddle-agedwifeoftheproprietoroftheIndianSpringhotel，lookeduponherasaprecociouschitwithmorethantheusualpropensitytoobjectionable"breathing。"Neverthelessthemasterwasirritatinglyconsciousofherpresence——apresencewhichnowhadalltheabsurdityofherridiculouslove-experiencessuperaddedtoit。Hetriedtoreasonwithhimselfthatitwasonlyaphaseoffrontierlife，whichoughttohaveamusedhim。Butitdidnot。

Theintrusionofthispreposterousgirlseemedtodisarrangethedisciplineofhislifeaswellasofhisschool。Theusualvague，far-offdreamsinwhichhewasinthehabitofindulgingduringschool-hours，dreamsthatwereperhapssuperinducedbytheremotenessofhisretreatandacertainrestfulsympathyinhislittleauditors，whichhadmadehim——thegrown-updreamer——

acceptabletotheminhisgentleunderstandingoftheirneedsandweaknesses，nowseemedtohavevanishedforever。

Atrecess，OctaviaDean，whohaddrawnnearCressyandreacheduptoplaceherarmroundtheoldergirl’swaist，glancedatherwithapatronizingsmilebornofsomerapidfree-masonry，andlaughinglyretiredwiththeothers。Themasterathisdesk，andCressywhohadhaltedintheaislewereleftalone。

"Ihavehadnointimationyetfromyourfatherormotherthatyouwerecomingbacktoschoolagain，"hebegan。"ButIsupposeTHEY

havedecideduponyourreturn？"

Anuneasysuspicionofsomearrangementwithherformerloverhadpromptedtheemphasis。

Theyounggirllookedathimwithlanguidastonishment。"Ireckonpawandmawain’tnoobjection，"shesaidwiththesameeasyignoringofparentalauthoritythathadcharacterizedRupertFilgee，andwhichseemedtobealocalpeculiarity。"MawDIDoffertocomeyerandseeyou，butItoldhersheneedn’tbother。"

Sherestedhertwohandsbehindherontheedgeofadesk，andleanedagainstit，lookingdownuponthetoeofhersmartlittleshoewhichwasdescribingasmallsemicirclebeyondthehemofhergown。Herattitude，whichwashalf-defiant，half-indolent，broughtouttheprettycurvesofherwaistandshoulders。Themasternoticeditandbecameatriflemoreaustere。

"ThenIamtounderstandthatthisisapermanentthing？"heaskedcoldly。

"What’sthat？"saidCressyinterrogatively。

"AmItounderstandthatyouintendcomingregularlytoschool？"

repeatedthemastercurtly，"oristhismerelyanarrangementforafewdays——until"——

"Oh，"saidCressycomprehendingly，liftingherunabashedblueeyestohis，"youmeanTHAT。Oh，THAT’Sbrokeoff。Yes，"sheaddedcontemptuously，makingalargersemicirclewithherfoot，"that’sover——threeweeksago。"

"AndSethDavis——doesHEintendreturningtoo？"

"He！"Shebrokeintoalightgirlishlaugh。"Ireckonnotmuch！

S’long’sI’mhere，atleast。"Shehadjustliftedherselftoasittingpostureonthedesk，sothatherlittlefeetswungclearofthefloorintheirsaucydance。Suddenlyshebroughtherheelstogetherandalighted。"Sothat’sall？"sheasked。

"Yes。"

"KinIgonow？"

"Yes。"

Shelaidherbooksoneonthetopoftheotherandlingeredaninstant。

"Beenquitewell？"sheaskedwithindolentpoliteness。

"Yes——thankyou。"

"You’relookin’rightpeart。"

ShewalkedwithaSoutherngirl’sundulatinglanguortothedoor，openedit，thenchargedsuddenlyuponOctaviaDean，twirledherroundinawildwaltzandboreheraway；appearingamomentafterontheplaygrounddemurelywalkingwithherarmaroundhercompanion’swaistinanostentatiousconfidenceatoncelofty，exclusive，andexasperatingtothesmallerchildren。

WhenschoolwasdismissedthatafternoonandthemasterhadremainedtoshowRupertFilgeehowtoprepareUncleBen’stasks，andhadgivenhisfinalinstructionstohisyouthfulvicegerent，thatirascibleAdonisunburdenedhimselfquerulously：

"IsCressyMcKinstrycomin’reg’lar，Mr。Ford？"

"Sheis，"saidthemasterdryly。Afterapauseheasked，"Why？"

Rupert’scurlshaddescendedonhiseyebrowsinheavydiscontent。

"It’smightyrough，jestezafellerreckonshe’sgotquitofherandherjackassbo’，tohevherprancin’backinterschoolagin，andriggedoutlikeezifshe’dbeentoafireinamilliner’sshop。"

"Youshouldn’tallowyourpersonaldislikes，Rupert，toprovokeyoutospeakofafellow-scholarinthatway——andayounglady，too，"

correctedthemasterdryly。

"Thewoodsisfullo’sichfeller-scholarsandsichyoungladies，ifyerkeertogoagunningfor’em，"saidRupertwithdarkandslangysignificance。"EfI’dknownshewascomin’backI’d"——hestoppedandbroughthissunburntfistagainsttheseamofhistrouserswithaboyishgesture，"I’dhevjist"——

"What？"saidthemastersharply。

"I’dhevplayedhookeytillsheleftschoolagin！Itmoutn’thevbinsolong，neither，"headdedwithamysteriouschuckle。

"Thatwilldo，"saidthemasterperemptorily。"Forthepresentyou’llattendtoyourdutyandtrytomakeUncleBenseeyou’resomethingmorethanafoolish，prejudicedschool-boy，or，"headdedsignificantly，"heandImaybothrepentouragreement。LetmehaveagoodaccountofyoubothwhenIreturn。"

Hetookhishatfromitspegonthewall，andinobediencetoasuddenlyformedresolutionlefttheschool-roomtocallupontheparentsofCressyMcKinstry。Hewasnotquitecertainwhatheshouldsay，but，afterhishabit，wouldtrusttotheinspirationofthemoment。Attheworsthecouldresignasituationthatnowappearedtorequiremoretactanddelicacythanseemedconsistentwithhisposition，andhewasobligedtoconfesstohimselfthathehadlatelysuspectedthathispresentoccupation——thetemporaryexpedientofapoorbutcleveryoungmanoftwenty——wasscarcelybringinghimnearerarealizationofhisdailydreams。ForMr。

JackFordwasayouthfulpilgrimwhohadsoughthisfortuneinCaliforniasolightlyequippedthateveninthematterofkinandadvisershewasdeficient。ThatprospectivefortunehadalreadyeludedhiminSanFrancisco，hadapparentlynotwaitedforhiminSacramento，andnowseemednevertohavebeenatIndianSpring。

Nevertheless，whenhewasonceoutofsightoftheschool-househelitacigar，puthishandsinhispockets，andstrodeonwiththecheerfulnessofthatyouthtowhichallthingsarepossible。

Thechildrenhadalreadydispersedasmysteriouslyandcompletelyastheyhadarrived。BetweenhimandthestragglinghamletofIndianSpringthelandscapeseemedtobewithoutsoundormotion。

Thewoodeduplandorridgeonwhichtheschoolhousestood，halfamilefurtheron，begantoslopegraduallytowardstheriver，onwhosebanks，seenfromthatdistance，thetownappearedtohavebeenscatteredirregularlyorthrowntogetherhastily，asifcastashorebysomeoverflow——theCosmopolitanHoteldriftingintotheBaptistchurch，anddragginginitstailofwreckagetwosaloonsandablacksmith’sshop；whiletheCountyCourt-housewasstrandedinsolitarygrandeurinawasteofgravelhalfamileaway。Theinterveningflatwasstillgashedandfurrowedbytheremorselessenginesofearliergold-seekers。

Mr。Fordwasinlittlesympathywiththisunsuccessfulrecordoffrontierendeavor——thefortuneHEhadsoughtdidnotseemtolieinthatdirection——andhiseyeglancedquicklybeyondittothepine-

crestedhillsacrosstheriver，whoseprimevalsecuritywassonearandyetsoinviolable，orbackagaintothetrailhewaspursuingalongtheridge。Thelatterprospectstillretaineditssemi-

savagecharacterinspiteoftheoccasionalsuburbancottagesofresidents，andthefewoutlyingfarmsorranchesofthelocality。

Thegroundsofthecottageswereyetunclearedofunderbrush；bearandcatamountstillprowledaroundtherudefencesoftheranches；

thelateallegedexperienceoftheinfantSnyderwasbynomeansimprobableorunprecedented。

Alightbreezewasseekingtheheatedflatandriver，andthrillingtheleavesaroundhimwiththestrongvitalityoftheforest。Thevibratingcross-lightsandtremulouschequersofshadecastbythestirredfoliageseemedtoweaveafantasticnetaroundhimashewalked。Thequaintodorsofcertainwoodlandherbsknowntohisscholars，andreligiouslykeptintheirdesks，orleftlikevotiveofferingsonthethresholdoftheschool-house，recalledalltheprimitivesimplicityanddeliciouswildnessofthelittletemplehehadleft。Eveninthemischievousglancesofevasivesquirrelsandthemoisteyesofthecontemplativerabbitstherewerefaintsuggestionsofsomeofhisowntruants。Thewoodsweretremblingwithgentlememoriesoftheindependencehehadalwaysknownhere——

ofthatsweetandgraveretreatnowsoridiculouslyinvaded。

Hebegantohesitate，withoneofthoserevulsionsofsentimentcharacteristicofhisnature：Whyshouldhebotherhimselfaboutthisgirlafterall？Whynotmakeuphismindtoacceptherashispredecessorhaddone？Whywasitnecessaryforhimtofindherinconsistentwithhisideasofdutytohislittleflockandhismissiontothem？Washenotassumingasenseofdecorumthatwasopentomisconception？Theabsurdityofherschoolcostume，andanyresponsibilityitincurred，restednotwithhimbutwithherparents。Whatrighthadhetopointitouttothem，andaboveallhowwashetodoit？Hehaltedirresolutelyatwhathebelievedwashissobersecondthought，butwhich，likemostreflectionsthattakethatflatteringtitle，wasonlyareactionasimpulsiveandillogicalastheemotionthatprecededit。

Mr。McKinstry’s"snakerail"fencewasalreadydiscernibleinthelighteropeningofthewoods，notfarfromwherehehadhalted。Ashestoodthereinhesitation，theprettyfigureandbrightgownofCressyMcKinstrysuddenlyemergedfromamoresecludedtrailthatintersectedhisownatanacuteangleafewrodsaheadofhim。Shewasnotalone，butwasaccompaniedbyamalefigurewhosearmshehadevidentlyjustdislodgedfromherwaist。Hewasstilltryingtoresumehislostvantage；shewasasresolutelyevadinghimwithacertainnymph-likeagility，whilethesoundofherhalf-laughing，half-irateprotestcouldbefaintlyheard。Withoutbeingabletoidentifythefaceorfigureofhercompanionatthatdistance，hecouldseethatitwasNOTherformerbetrothed，SethDavis。

Asuperiorsmilecrossedhisface；henolongerhesitated，butatonceresumedhisformerpath。ForsometimeCressyandhercompanionmovedonquietlybeforehim。Thenonreachingtherail-

fencetheyturnedabruptlytotheright，werelostforaninstantintheinterveningthicket，andthenextmomentCressyappearedalone，crossingthemeadowinashortercuttowardsthehouse，havingeitherscaledthefenceorslippedthroughsomefamiliargap。Hercompanionhaddisappeared。Whethertheyhadnoticedthattheywereobservedhecouldnotdetermine。Hekeptsteadilyalongthetrailthatfollowedthelineoffencetothelanethatleddirectlytothefarm-building，andpushedopenthefrontgateasCressy’slightdressvanishedroundanangleattherearofthehouse。

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