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。