ssment, he said,

"Oh, merely that study is more appropriate to the school-room than
amusement. I shall be happy to have it dwell in your memory and
practice, Miss Hinton."

Annie bowed gracefully, gravely, and turned away, but not before Hall
mentally resolved never to admonish her again if he could avoid it.

When the day for compositions came--that bore which all parties would
gladly overlook instead of look over--Hall, dreading trite essays on
all the hackneyed themes of school, told the misses under his charge
to write on any thing that interested them--they might describe some
of the manners and customs among them.

"But we have _no manners_, and very few customs, Mr. Hall," said
Annie.

"Well, select any subject that pleases yourself, Miss Annie."

The composition was on Dignity, and was so ludicrous, so _personal_ a
description of it, that Mr. Hall was fairly puzzled. What shall I say
to this merry damsel, who seems to turn into sport all I say or do. I
cannot correct her.

"Miss Hinton, carry this home to your father, and see if he says it is
a proper article for you to bring in as a composition."

The next day it was returned with, "My father thinks Dignity one of
the finest things he has ever seen," she said, half hesitating, as if
unwilling to utter such praise, but looking as if all the spirits of
fun had taken the opportunity to look out of her eyes. Of course, her
reverend parent had never had a glimpse of it--and this her teacher
very well knew.

But why watch her with more interest than all the "well behaved" of
his school? In accordance with Scripture, he left the ninety and nine
just ones, to search for the one who went astray. The lessons she
recited had for him a double interest; the days she was absent were
like the dull, gray sky of autumn--nay, several times he even
acknowledged to himself that teaching was _not_ the dull routine he
had supposed, and the term of his probation had not the leaden wings
he had anticipated.

But there was an apprehension to disturb the tenor of his thoughts,
and fall heavily upon his official capacity. He had--yes, he certainly
had seen Annie Hinton receive a billet from Charles Lane; and Charles
Lane was a bright youth--a fine scholar--ready to enter college the
next term--and just her age. It was wrong, decidedly wrong, to have
any silly flirtations between mere boys and girls--he had always
considered it so; but now it was wonderful to see how strong