Chapter XII—Who Shall Be Master?

 With as much dignity as was possible under the circumstances, James stepped to the teacher's desk and rang the bell.

 

This was hardly necessary, for out of curiosity all the scholars had promptly¹ followed the young teacher into the school-room and taken their seats.

 

After the introductory exercises, James made a brief address to the scholars:

 

"I don't need any introduction to you," he said, "for you all know me. I see before me many who have been my playfellows and associates, but to-day a new relation is established between us. I am here as your teacher, regularly appointed by the committee, and it is my duty to assist you as far as I can to increase your knowledge. I should hardly feel competent to do so if I had not lately attended Geauga Seminary, and thus improved my own education. I hope you will consider me a friend, not only as I have been, but as one who is interested in promoting your best interests. One thing more," he added, "it is not only my duty to teach you, but to maintain good order, and this I mean to do. In school I wish you to look upon me as your teacher, but outside I shall join you in your sports, and be as much a boy as any of you. We will now proceed to our daily lessons."

 

This speech was delivered with self-possession, and favorably impressed all who heard it, even the boys who meant to make trouble, but they could not give up their contemplated² fun. Nevertheless, by tacit agreement, they preserved perfect propriety³ for the present. They were not ready for the explosion.

 

The boy teacher was encouraged by the unexpected quiet.

 

"After all," he thought, "everything is likely to go smoothly⁴. I need not have troubled myself so much."

 

He knew the usual routine at the opening of a school term. The names of the children were to be taken, they were to be divided into classes, and lessons were to be assigned. Feeling more confidence in himself, James went about this work in business fashion, and when recess⁵ came, the comments made by the pupils in the playground were generally favorable.

 

"He's going to make a good teacher," said one of the girls, "as good as any we've had, and he's so young too."

 

"He goes to work as if he knew how," said another. "I didn't think Jimmy Garfield had so much in him."

 

"Oh, he's smart!" said another. "Just think of brother Ben trying to keep school, and he's just as old as James."

 

Meanwhile Tom Bassett and Bill Stackpole had a private conference together.

 

"What do you think of Jim's speech, Bill?" asked Tom.

 

"Oh, it sounded well enough, but I'll bet he was trembling in his boots all the while he was talkin'."

 

"Maybe so, but he seemed cool enough."

 

"Oh, that was all put on. Did you hear what he said about keepin' order?"

 

"Yes, he kinder looked at you an' me when he was talkin'."

 

"I guess he heard about our turnin' out the last teacher."

 

"Of course. I tell you, it took some cheek to come here and order 'round us boys that has known him all his life."

 

"That's so. Do you think he's goin' to maintain order, as he calls it?"

 

"You just wait till afternoon. He'll know better then."

 

James did not go out to recess the first day. He had some things to do affecting the organization of the school, and so he remained at his desk. Several of the pupils came up to consult him on one point or another, and he received them all with that pleasant manner which throughout his life was characteristic of him. To one and another he gave a hint or a suggestion, based upon his knowledge of their character and abilities. One of the boys said: "Do you think I'd better study grammar, Jimmy—I mean Mr. Garfield?"

 

James smiled. He knew the slip was unintentional. Of course it would not do for him to allow himself to be addressed in school by a pupil as Jimmy.

 

"Yes," he answered, "unless you think you know all about it already."

 

"I don't know the first thing about it."

 

"Then, of course, you ought to study it. Why shouldn't you?"

 

"But I can't make nothin' out of it. I can't understand it nohow."

 

"Then you need somebody to explain it to you."

 

"It's awful stupid."

 

"I don't think you will find it so when you come to know more about it. I shall be ready to explain it. I think I can make you understand it."

 

Another had a sum he could not do. So James found the recess pass quickly away, and again the horde⁶ of scholars poured into the school-room.

 

It was not till afternoon that the conflict came.

 

Tom Bassett belonged to the first class in geography.

 

James called out the class.

 

All came out except Tom, who lounged carelessly in his seat.

 

"Thomas, don't you belong to this class?" asked the young teacher.

 

"I reckon I do."

 

"Then why don't you come out to recite?"

 

"Oh, I feel lazy," answered Tom, with a significant smile, as if to inquire, "What are you goin' to do about it?"

 

James thought to himself with a thrill of unpleasant excitement, "It's coming. In ten minutes I shall know whether Tom Bassett or I is to rule this school."

 

His manner was calm, however, as he said, "That is no excuse. I can't accept it. As your teacher I order you to join your class."

 

"Can't you wait till to-morrow?" asked Tom, with a grin, which was reflected on the faces of several other pupils.

 

"I think I understand you," said James, with outward calmness. "You defy my authority."

 

"You're only a boy like me," said Tom; "I don't see why I should obey you."

 

"If you were teacher, and I pupil, I should obey you," said James, "and I expect the same of you."

 

"Oh, go on with the recitation!" said Tom, lazily. "Never mind me!"

 

James felt that he could afford to wait no longer

 

Turning to the class, he said, "I shall have to delay you for a minute."

 

He walked deliberately⁷ up to the seat where Tom Bassett was sitting.

 

Tom squared off in the expectation of an assault; but, with the speed of lightning, the young teacher grasped him by the collar, and, with a strength that surprised himself, dragged him from his seat, in spite of his struggles, till he reached the place where the class was standing⁸.

 

By this time Bill Stackpole felt called upon to help his partner in rebellion.

 

"You let him alone!" he said, menacingly, stepping forward.

 

"One at a time!" said James, coolly. "I will be ready for you in a minute."

 

He saw that there was only one thing to do.

 

He dragged Tom to the door, and forcibly ejected him, saying, "When you get ready to obey me you can come back."

 

He had scarcely turned when Bill Stackpole was upon him.

 

With a quick motion of the foot James tripped him up, and, still retaining his grasp on his collar, said, "Will you go or stay?"

 

Bill was less resolute⁹ than Tom.

 

"I guess I'll stay," he said; then picked himself up and resumed his place in the class.

 

Apparently¹⁰ calm, James returned to his desk, and commenced hearing the class recite.

 

The next morning, on his way to school, James overtook Tom Bassett, who eyed him with evident embarrassment¹¹. Tom's father had sent him back to school, and Tom did not dare disobey.

 

"Good morning, Tom," said James, pleasantly.

 

"Mornin'!" muttered Tom.

 

"I hope you are going to school?"

 

"Father says I must."

 

"I am glad of that, too. By the way, Tom, I think I shall have to get some of the scholars to help me with some of the smaller pupils. I should like to get you to hear the lowest class in arithmetic to-day."

 

"You want me to help you teach?" exclaimed Tom, in amazement¹².

 

"Yes; it will give me more time for the higher classes."

 

"And you don't bear no malice¹³ on account of yesterday?"

 

"Oh, no; we are too good friends to mind such a trifle."

 

"Then," said Tom, impulsively¹⁴, "you won't have no more trouble with me. I'll help you all I can."

 

There was general surprise felt when the young teacher and his rebellious¹⁵ scholar were seen approaching the school-house, evidently on the most friendly terms. There was still greater surprise when, during the forenoon, James requested Tom to hear the class already mentioned. At recess Tom proclaimed his intention to lick any boy that was impudent¹⁶ to the teacher, and the new Garfield administration seemed to be established on a firm basis.

 

This incident, which is based upon an actual resort to war measures on the part of the young teacher, is given to illustrate¹⁷ the strength as well as the amiability¹⁸ of Garfield's character. It was absolutely necessary that he should show his ability to govern.

1 promptly   

adv.及时地，敏捷地

参考例句：

• He paid the money back promptly.他立即还了钱。
• She promptly seized the opportunity his absence gave her.她立即抓住了因他不在场给她创造的机会。

2 contemplated   

adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The doctor contemplated the difficult operation he had to perform. 医生仔细地考虑他所要做的棘手的手术。
• The government has contemplated reforming the entire tax system. 政府打算改革整个税收体制。

3 propriety   

n.正当行为；正当；适当

参考例句：

• We hesitated at the propriety of the method.我们对这种办法是否适用拿不定主意。
• The sensitive matter was handled with great propriety.这件机密的事处理得极为适当。

4 smoothly   

adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地

参考例句：

• The workmen are very cooperative,so the work goes on smoothly.工人们十分合作，所以工作进展顺利。
• Just change one or two words and the sentence will read smoothly.这句话只要动一两个字就顺了。

5 recess   

n.短期休息，壁凹（墙上装架子，柜子等凹处）

参考例句：

• The chairman of the meeting announced a ten-minute recess.会议主席宣布休会10分钟。
• Parliament was hastily recalled from recess.休会的议员被匆匆召回开会。

6 horde   

n.群众，一大群

参考例句：

• A horde of children ran over the office building.一大群孩子在办公大楼里到处奔跑。
• Two women were quarrelling on the street,surrounded by horde of people.有两个妇人在街上争吵，被一大群人围住了。

7 deliberately   

adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地

参考例句：

• The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
• They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。

8 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

9 resolute   

adj.坚决的，果敢的

参考例句：

• He was resolute in carrying out his plan.他坚决地实行他的计划。
• The Egyptians offered resolute resistance to the aggressors.埃及人对侵略者作出坚决的反抗。

10 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

11 embarrassment   

n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫

参考例句：

• She could have died away with embarrassment.她窘迫得要死。
• Coughing at a concert can be a real embarrassment.在音乐会上咳嗽真会使人难堪。

12 amazement   

n.惊奇，惊讶

参考例句：

• All those around him looked at him with amazement.周围的人都对他投射出惊异的眼光。
• He looked at me in blank amazement.他带着迷茫惊诧的神情望着我。

13 malice   

n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋

参考例句：

• I detected a suggestion of malice in his remarks.我觉察出他说的话略带恶意。
• There was a strong current of malice in many of his portraits.他的许多肖像画中都透着一股强烈的怨恨。

14 impulsively   

adv.冲动地

参考例句：

• She leant forward and kissed him impulsively. 她倾身向前，感情冲动地吻了他。
• Every good, true, vigorous feeling I had gathered came impulsively round him. 我的一切良好、真诚而又强烈的感情都紧紧围绕着他涌现出来。

15 rebellious   

adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的

参考例句：

• They will be in danger if they are rebellious.如果他们造反，他们就要发生危险。
• Her reply was mild enough,but her thoughts were rebellious.她的回答虽然很温和，但她的心里十分反感。

16 impudent   

adj.鲁莽的，卑鄙的，厚颜无耻的

参考例句：

• She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
• The teacher threatened to kick the impudent pupil out of the room.老师威胁着要把这无礼的小学生撵出教室。

17 illustrate   

v.举例说明，阐明；图解，加插图

参考例句：

• The company's bank statements illustrate its success.这家公司的银行报表说明了它的成功。
• This diagram will illustrate what I mean.这个图表可说明我的意思。

18 amiability   

n.和蔼可亲的，亲切的，友善的

参考例句：

• His amiability condemns him to being a constant advisor to other people's troubles. 他那和蔼可亲的性格使他成为经常为他人排忧解难的开导者。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• I watched my master's face pass from amiability to sternness. 我瞧着老师的脸上从和蔼变成严峻。 来自辞典例句