a temporary
reign over children and spelling-books, in order to pursue his
studies--for the expenses of which the limited finances of his parents
would not suffice; and he had taken the academy at L., with the due
announcement of all his qualifications in the county newspaper.

"Some bright faces here," thought he, as his eyes glanced over those
of his scholars upturned to him, and rested on one with eyes bright
enough to light Cupid on his way to any untenanted heart, but bearing
the expression of smothered mirth, never relished by those who do not
happen to know the _mot d'enigme_. Small white fingers traced
something rapidly on the slate, which was then given to a young lady,
who, on the perusal of its characters, gave a stifled laugh, and
buried her face in a handkerchief. But the author of the mischief,
whatever it was, instantly turned to gravity, and met the searching
gaze of Hall with a demure look which amused him not a little.

"That daughter of Parson Hinton finds fun enough in something. I wish
her father could preach her into better behavior. She is the most
troublesome sprite I have in school. Young ladies," he said, assuming
all the dignity of his position, "less whispering, and more attention
to your studies would conduce to your improvement."

Annie Hinton and her chum took their books, and were soon apparently
absorbed in them. Annie met with some question she could not solve;
and taking her book to the teacher, she asked an explanation. It was
given.

"And you made an observation just now, sir, which I wish to remember.
Will you be so kind as to repeat it," she added, bending toward him
with the greatest mock attention and deference.

It is said that the worst reception of a compliment is to request its
repetition; and the remark is just as applicable to a reproof.
Certainly Harvey Hall found it so. Impudence he could have met
successfully; but there was something in the arch air of respect, so
evidently assumed, and in the polite tone accompanying bright eyes
which _would_ almost laugh out, which told him that the present scene
would figure in some after frolic formidable enough to young gentlemen
who are never proof against the ridicule of mirthful girls in their
teens. He longed to laugh with her at it all, but an assembled school,
a roguish scholar, would not exactly admit of this; so, coloring a
little, and then provoked at himself for the _gossiping_ blood which
betrayed his inward embarra