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。