l I come? Yes, I
understand--middle of the day. I'll be on hand."

The fateful day came. In every house and on every galerie the morning
tasks were early done. Then the best of every wardrobe was put on, the
sun soared high, and by noon every chair in Grande Pointe was in the
tobacco-shed where knowledge poured forth her beams, and was occupied
by one or two persons. And then, at last, the chapel bell above
Claude's head pealed out the final signal, and the schoolmaster moved
across the green. Bonaventure Deschamps was weary. Had aught gone
wrong? Far from it. But the work had been great, and it was now done.
Every thing was at stake: the cause of enlightenment and the fortunes
of his heart hung on the issue of the next few hours. Three pupils,
one the oftenest rebuked of all the school, one his rival in love,
one the queen of his heart, held his fate in their hands and knew it.
With these thoughts mingled the pangs of an unconfessed passion and
the loneliness of a benevolent nature famishing for a word of thanks.
Yea, and to-day he must be his own judge.

His coat was on his arm, and the children round about him in their
usual way as they came across the common; but his words, always so
kind, were, on this day of all days, so dejected and so few that the
little ones stole glances into his face and grew silent. Then, all at
once, he saw,--yea, verily, he _saw_,--standing near the school
entrance, a man from the great outer world!

He knew it by a hundred signs--the free attitude, the brilliant silk
hat, the shaven face, and every inch of the attire. As plainly as one
knows a green tree from a dead one, the Crusoe of Grande Pointe
recognized one who came from the haunts of men; from some great
nerve-centre of human knowledge and power where the human mind,
trained and equipped, had piled up the spoils of its innumerable
conquests. His whole form lighted up with a new life. His voice
trembled with pent feeling as he said in deep undertone:

"Be callm, chil'run; be callm. Refrain excitement. Who you behole
befo' you, yondeh, I ignore. But who shall we expect to see if not the
State Sup'inten'ent Public Education? And if yea, then welcome, thrice
welcome, the surprise! We shall not inquire him; but as a stranger we
shall show him with how small reso'ce how large result." He put on his
coat.

Mr. Tarbox had just reached the school-ground. His horse was fastened
by the bridle to a picket in a fence behind him. A few boy