He was out of bed and pulling his braces11 over his shoulders by the time the heavy footsteps of his mother sounded at the top of the stairs.
"Comin', Ma," responded Anse, sleepily.
"Well, you'd best come quick, then. You'll be gettin' enough hidin's today—if that new teacher's any good—without me havin' to wear my arm out on you 'fore13 breakfast."
Anson stood still, fumbling14 the buttons. So that was it! School! He knew it was some awful catastrophe15. Where was Billy? He glanced across at the other bed. Billy was not in it. He went slowly downstairs, washed himself, and went in to breakfast. Billy was not there. His father was just getting up from the table.
"Where's Bill?" Anson asked him.
"Down feedin' his pets, most likely," answered his father as he went out. A moment or two later Billy came in. The boys seated themselves in their places and ate their breakfast in silence.
"Is our dinner up, Ma?" Billy asked, as he pushed back his chair.
Mrs. Wilson nodded. "It is. Two pieces of bread an' butter an' a doughnut an' a tart16 fer each of you. Is it enough?"
"I guess so," Billy replied indifferently.
Anson eyed him suspiciously, then turned to his mother. "I wish't you'd do our dinners up separate, Ma," he whined17.
"Why?" asked Mrs. Wilson, in surprise.
"Well, 'cause Bill hogs18 it, that's why," complained Anson. "Last time we had tarts19 I didn't get none. An' it's the same with pie an' cake."
Mrs. Wilson gazed sternly at Billy. "Willium, do you take Anson's tarts and pie?" she asked ominously20.
"There now!" exulted22 Anson, glancing triumphantly23 at his mother, who sat staring and incredulous at the unabashed offender24.
Billy looked gravely down at his accuser, then apprehensively25 at his judge. As no immediate26 sentence seemed forthcoming he turned toward the door.
"Stop!" Mrs. Wilson had risen suddenly from her chair and stood pointing an accusing finger at Billy.
"You'll ketch it fer this, an' don't you ferget it," she stormed, "an' if I ever hear of you gobblin' up Anson's share o' the lunch ag'in, you young glutton28, you'll go to school fer a month without any lunch a'tall."
Billy turned. "I didn't say I ate Anson's pie an' cake, Ma," he said gently. "I didn't take it 'cause I wanted it."
"Then why did you take it a'tall, I want'a know?"
"I took it 'cause I thought it was bad fer him. You see, Ma, Anse suffers turrible from indigestion," Billy explained. "'Course maybe you don't notice it same as I do, 'cause you don't sleep in the same room with him. But Ma, he groans29 an' gasps30 all night—an' he has the most awful dreams—now don't you Anse?" he asked, turning to his brother.
Anson started to whimper. "I do have bad dreams," he confessed miserably32, "but pie an' tarts ain't to blame fer it."
"Silence, you!" Mrs. Wilson reached for the dinner-pail and proceeded to extract from it one tart, one doughnut. "I guess maybe your brother's right," she said grimly. "If that's the way you carry on nights we'll hold you off pastry33 fer a while. Now then, grab that pail and off to school with both o' you!"
Billy was outside first and waiting for Anson at the road gate when he came down the path, dejectedly wiping his eyes and vowing34 inaudible threats at the agent of his new woe35.
"Now, then," said Billy as he came up, "maybe you'll begin to see that it don't pay to blab so danged much."
"It was dirty mean of you," sniffled Anson. "You know how much I like pie an' tarts; an' here I am havin' to lug36 yourn an' gettin' none fer myself. Fer two cents I'd chuck this dinner-pail in the crick."
"An' fer two cents I'd punch that crooked37 eye of yourn straight," cried Billy, his temper rising. "You'd best close your mouth while the closin's good, an' if anythin' happens to that pail you're goin' to hear from me."
They passed on in silence until the hardwood grove38 came in sight. Here Billy paused. "You go on, Anse," he said. "I'm goin' over to the menagerie fer a look over things. An' see here." He grabbed his brother's shoulder and swung him about. "I'm goin' to tell you something an' if you so much as peep it to Ma I'm goin' to pass the word to Ringdo an Croaker that they're free to do what they like to you; see?"
"All right then. Now listen. This mornin' I tied my Sunday clothes up an' throwed 'em out our winder. Then I got up an' sneaked40 'em over to the menagerie. I'm goin' to wear 'em to school. Never you mind why, it's none of your business. When I blow into school this mornin' dressed to kill I don't want you to look too darned surprised, that's all. Now if you'll keep your mouth shut tight about that I promise not to let my witch-coon an' witch-crow eat you while you sleep; an' I'll tell you what else I'll do, I'll give you my tart an' my doughnut. Is it a bargain?"
Anson nodded eagerly.
"All hunky. Now you move along, an' if you happen to meet Fatty Watland, er Maurice, er any other boys, don't you let on a word about this."
"I won't," promised Anson. "Cross my heart, Bill."
Billy ducked into the path through the grove and Anson resumed his reluctant pace toward the Valley School. On the bridge across Levee creek41 he came up with Elgin Scraff. Elgin was standing42 with his arms on the bridge rail, looking dejectedly down into the water.
Elgin lifted his head slowly. "Yep, you?"
Anson nodded and set the dinner-pail down on the bridge.
"Where's Bill?"
"He'll be along soon. Here he comes now; no 'taint45 neither, it's Fatty Watland. Wonder where he's been up that way?"
Watland came puffing46 up, his round face red and perspiring47. "Gee48!" he panted, "I've been all the way to the store. Had to get some sulphur fer Ma. She found a wood-tick that old Sport scratched off him on the floor, an' she swears it's a bed-bug; an' now she's goin' to burn this sulphur in all the rooms."
A grin rippled49 across his face and grew into a chuckle50. "I bet I sleep in the barn fer a week. I sure hate the smell of sulphur."
"Come on," said Elgin, "let's move on down to the sehoolhouse." Side by side the three passed on up the hill and down into the valley.
The sehoolhouse stood with a wide sloping green before it and a tangle51 of second growth forest behind it. It was not an old building, but had the appearance of senile old age. Its coat of cheap terra-cotta paint had cracked into many wrinkles; its windows looked dully out like the lustreless52 eyes of an old, old man. The ante-room roof had been blown off by a winter's gale53 and replaced inaccurately54, so that it set awry55, jaunty56 and defiant57, challenging the world. Its door hung on one hinge, leaning sleepily against a knife-scarred wall. A rail fence ran about the yard which was filled to choking with a rank growth of smart-weed. In one corner of the yard was a well with a faded blue pump holding the faded red arm of a handle toward the skies, as though evoking58 high heaven to bear witness that it was never intended to lead such a lonely and useless existence.
The boys approached the building slowly and as they neared its sombre portals silence fell upon them. They opened the creaking gate and entered the building much after the manner of heroes who must stand blindfolded59 against a wall and wait the word "Fire!" They had to go through with it, that was all.
The building held all the unmistakable odors of a school room. The smell of chalk dust, mouldy bread crusts, mice, dirty slates60 and musty books rose up to smite61 the arrivals. Four rows of pine seats, blackened with ink-daubs and deeply scarred by pocket-knives, ran the entire length of the building. A big box stove stood in the centre of the room, its wavering pipe supported by wires from the ceiling.
Walter Watland looked about for a good place in which to conceal62 his package of sulphur and decided63 that in the empty stove he had discovered the place of all places. So, while Anson and Elgin were investigating the teacher's desk and picking out their seats, he proceeded to hide his sulphur in the stove's black depths. Then he went outside with his companions to await the coming of the new teacher.
Scarcely had the three seated themselves on the top rail of the yard fence than from all directions other pupils of the Settlement began to arrive. Sand Sharkers, sullen64 and defiant, holding themselves apart, came in one big group.
Jim Scroggie entered the school yard with his sister by his side. He paused a moment to let his eyes stray to the faces of the three hopefuls on the fence, conjecturing65 with a boy's intuition that in this trio he saw some of the ring-leaders of the school. Jim wore a smart tweed coat and knickerbockers, and a shirt of grey flannel66 with a soft silk tie. His sister, Lou, was dressed daintily in white, with soft blue collar that matched the glorious depths of her eyes. She smiled now, and the three on the fence immediately underwent a change of heart. Elgin Scraff was the first to slide down and approach the new boy in a spirit of fellowship.
Jim shook his head. "Promised Billy Wilson I'd sit with him," he said. "Kin you tell me where he's goin' to sit?"
Elgin was about to answer when he caught a gasp31 from the watchers on the road. "Teacher's comin'!" went forth27 the cry.
Down the hill came a thin, rangy bay horse, astride which, an open book in his hand, sat Mr. G. G. Johnston. As he drew up in front of the gate he closed the book and turned his frowning eyes on the building. Utterly68 ignoring the awed69, watching faces he shook his head grimly and, looking to neither right nor left, rode in through the open gate. Not until he had unbridled his horse and turned him loose to seek a breakfast as best he knew how, while he investigated the school's interior, did the boys and girls outside give way to their feelings.
Then Maurice Keeler whistled. "Whew! Ain't he the old human icicle?" he asked.
"You bet!" came the spontaneous answer.
"Gosh," cried Elgin Scraff, "there goes the bell! Come on everybody; let's get our medicine."
Just as the boys and girls were settling down in their seats and Jim Scroggie was glancing anxiously doorward Billy strode in. He was resplendent in his Sunday best and wore a wild thorn blossom in his button hole. He glanced quickly about the room and caught the glint and sunlight for which he hungered—a smile from the lips of Lou Scroggie. Then he seized Jack70 LaRose by the scruff of the neck, jerked him from the seat near the door and motioned Jim Scroggie over. "We'll set here," he whispered. "It's close to the outside in case we have to make a quick get-away."
The new teacher paid no attention to the little scrimmage between LaRose and Billy. He stood on the platform, tall, spare, hard-featured and stern, and let his black eyes bore into the souls of the pupils, one after the other. Not until the silence of suspense71 was almost unbearable72 did he speak; then clearing his throat he gave forth in stern tones the following edict:
"Boys and girls, I am your teacher. I shall expect you to obey me implicitly73. If you do not, I shall punish you. I am here to teach you; you are here to learn and profit from my teaching. I have heard bad reports of most of you, but for the present I shall refrain from mentioning any names. When in the school-room you will be allowed to address me as 'Sir.' Outside the school-room you will not address me in any manner whatsoever74."
He paused to survey the rows of uplifted faces and let his words sink home. Then lifting a long hickory pointer from his desk, and holding it much as a conjuror75 might hold his wand, he gripped the edge of the desk with one bony hand and leaning forward, said:
"Boys and girls, from what has been told me I surmise76 that my predecessor77 has spoiled you. I do not censure78 him; undoubtedly79 he worked according to his lights. I have been twenty years a teacher. I am your superior in strength, wisdom and intellect; and this I want you always to keep in mind. I shall tolerate neither familiarity nor disobedience. You will do well to obey me without question and do, worthily80, the tasks I set for you. I believe in administering punishment to wrong-doers, severe punishment. It is not my purpose to deceive either you or the ratepayers of this school; therefore, I will admit that I like neither this district nor its people. That, however, will not prevent me from fulfilling my duty to the best of my ability."
He ceased speaking and drew himself up slowly, pursing his stern lips. "That is all I have to say for the time being," he said. "We shall endeavor to air this building, after which we will form classes. Will the fat boy with the rumpled81 hair and dirty neck, the one who is whispering to the boy behind him, be good enough to step forward?"
All eyes switched from the teacher to Fatty Watland. Fatty, his face very red, rose slowly and stood before the frowning Mr. Johnston.
"What is your name, boy?" asked the teacher.
"Walter Watland."
"Walter Watland—what?"
"That's all. Jest Walter Watland."
Mr. Johnston frowned darkly. "Walter Watland—what?" he repeated.
"Sir," prompted a voice from the back seat.
"Walter Watland, sir," panted Fatty, glimpsing the light in the nick of time.
"Very well, Walter, you may go home and get a pail of water. My experience with school wells," glancing out of the window to the blue pump, "has been that during the holidays they become a veritable death trap for frogs, mice and other vermin."
Walter moved quickly to execute the order. Mr. Johnston addressed the rest of the pupils. "School is now dismissed until we raise the windows and air the room."
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1
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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6
saner
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| adj.心智健全的( sane的比较级 )；神志正常的；明智的；稳健的 | |
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7
wielded
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| 手持着使用（武器、工具等）( wield的过去式和过去分词 )； 具有； 运用（权力）； 施加（影响） | |
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lulling
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| vt.使镇静，使安静（lull的现在分词形式） | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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braces
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| n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来 | |
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12
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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13
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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tart
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| adj.酸的；尖酸的，刻薄的；n.果馅饼；淫妇 | |
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whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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tarts
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| n.果馅饼( tart的名词复数 )；轻佻的女人；妓女；小妞 | |
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ominously
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| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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exulted
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| 狂喜，欢跃( exult的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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triumphantly
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| ad.得意洋洋地；得胜地；成功地 | |
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offender
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| n.冒犯者，违反者，犯罪者 | |
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25
apprehensively
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| adv.担心地 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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glutton
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| n.贪食者，好食者 | |
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groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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gasps
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| v.喘气( gasp的第三人称单数 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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pastry
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| n.油酥面团，酥皮糕点 | |
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vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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lug
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| n.柄，突出部，螺帽；(英）耳朵；（俚）笨蛋；vt.拖，拉，用力拖动 | |
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crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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40
sneaked
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| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
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41
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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42
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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44
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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45
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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46
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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47
perspiring
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| v.出汗，流汗( perspire的现在分词 ) | |
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48
gee
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| n.马；int.向右！前进！，惊讶时所发声音；v.向右转 | |
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49
rippled
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| 使泛起涟漪（ripple的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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50
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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51
tangle
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| n.纠缠；缠结；混乱；v.(使)缠绕；变乱 | |
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52
lustreless
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| adj.无光泽的，无光彩的，平淡乏味的 | |
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53
gale
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| n.大风，强风，一阵闹声（尤指笑声等） | |
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54
inaccurately
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| 不精密地，不准确地 | |
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55
awry
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| adj.扭曲的，错的 | |
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56
jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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evoking
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| 产生，引起，唤起( evoke的现在分词 ) | |
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59
blindfolded
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| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
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60
slates
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| （旧时学生用以写字的）石板( slate的名词复数 )； 板岩； 石板瓦； 石板色 | |
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61
smite
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| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
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62
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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63
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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64
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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65
conjecturing
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| v. & n. 推测，臆测 | |
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66
flannel
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| n.法兰绒；法兰绒衣服 | |
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genially
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| adv.亲切地，和蔼地；快活地 | |
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68
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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69
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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71
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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72
unbearable
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| adj.不能容忍的；忍受不住的 | |
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73
implicitly
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| adv. 含蓄地, 暗中地, 毫不保留地 | |
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74
whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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75
conjuror
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| n.魔术师，变戏法者 | |
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76
surmise
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| v./n.猜想，推测 | |
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77
predecessor
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| n.前辈，前任 | |
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78
censure
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| v./n.责备；非难；责难 | |
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79
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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80
worthily
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| 重要地，可敬地，正当地 | |
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81
rumpled
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| v.弄皱，使凌乱( rumple的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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