recating self-defense, imagining
himself accused.

"David Dunne," demanded Little Teacher, "did you bring that mouse to
school?"

"He brung it and let it out on purpose," informed Tim eagerly.

Little Teacher never encouraged talebearing, but she was so
discomfited by the exposure of the ruling weakness peculiar to her
sex that she decided to discipline her favorite pupil upon his
acknowledgment of guilt.

"You may bring your books and sit on the platform," she ordered
indignantly.

David did not in the least mind his assignment to so prominent a
position, but he did mind Little Teacher's attitude toward him
throughout the day. He sought to propitiate her by coming to her
assistance in many little tasks, but she persistently ignored his
overtures. He then ventured to seek enlightenment regarding his
studies, but she coldly informed him he could remain after school to
ask his questions.

David began to feel troubled, and looked out of the window for
an inspiration. He found one in the form of big, brawny, Jim
Block--"Teacher's Jim," as the school children all called him.

"There goes Teacher's Jim," sang David, _soto voce_.

The shot told. For the second time that day Little Teacher showed
outward and visible signs of an inward disturbance. With a blush she
turned quickly to the window and watched with expressive eyes the
stalwart figure striding over the rough-frozen road.

In an instant, however, she had recalled herself to earth, and David's
dancing eyes renewed her hostility toward him. Toward the end of the
day she began to feel somewhat appeased by his docility and evident
repentance. Her manner had perceptibly changed by the time the closing
exercise began. This was the writing of words on the blackboard for
the pupils to use in sentences. She pointed to the first word,
"income."

"Who can make a sentence and use that word correctly?" she asked.

"Do call on Tim," whispered David. "He so loves to be the first to
tell anything."

She smiled her appreciation of Tim's prominent characteristic, and
looked at the youngster, who was wringing his hand in an agony of
eagerness. She gave him the floor, and he jumped to his feet in
triumph, yelling:

"In come a mouse!"

This was too much for David's composure, and he gave way to an
infectious fit of laughter, in which the pupils joined.

Little Teacher found the allusion personal and uncomfortable. She at
once assumed her former distant mien, demanding