nearly
through with our usual routine of classes for the day, but I should be
happy, of course, to repeat any of the recitations which he might care to
hear."

"Would you?" said he, looking at me not unpleasantly. "Do you really ask
me to believe that? um-m-m," he murmured, resuming his stern aspect. "Let
me see--Geography--yes, Miss Hungerford, you may call the first class in
Geography."

I did not accuse the Superintendent of Schools of malevolent intentions,
but I could honestly have affirmed that of all the divisions and
subdivisions of my empire the first class in Geography was the one least
calculated to shine on an occasion like the present.

I groaned inwardly, and called them forth. Their forlorn and wilted
appearance as they formed in line went to my heart. I was resolved to
defend them at whatever cost.

"Now," said Mr. Baxter, planting himself firmly, with his legs rather far
apart, thrusting his hands in his pockets, and staring steadily at the
shivering group from under his awful brows; "what _is_ Geography? To
begin with. That's the first thing. What _is_ Geography?"

For a moment there was no reply. I almost began to hope that there would
be none. I felt that here "Silence was golden," and if maintained, all
might be comparatively well; when, to my dismay, there was a sort of
flank movement in the ranks and the ill-starred Estella raised her hand.

"Well," said Mr. Baxter, pointing his finger steadfastly at her as if to
impart a vein of concentration to her palpably loose and floating
appearance; "You! You ought to know. What is Geography, eh?"

Some fair wreck of an idea, formerly appropriated in this connection,
floated through the brain of the "Mo-doc." She opened her mouth and in
those loud and startling accents, for which she was ever distinguished,
gave utterance to these memorable words:

"A--round! like a ball!"

Mr. Baxter glared fiercely at her for a moment, and then permitted his
scorn to escape in a long, sarcastic hiss.

"Yes-s-s," said he; "yes-s-s! around like a ball! Do you find it much in
your way, eh? Do you often give it such a kick as that, eh? Well, take
your seats! take your seats!"

The Superintendent of Schools seemed disinclined to evoke any further
catastrophes of this sort, but proceeded to discourse to me, aside, in a
confidential growl, on the peculiar and erratic natures of the benighted
Wallencampers.

"Their minds," he said, with a grim smile, "have no recep