"
On the following afternoon, when five o'clock arrived (in those days
most of the country schools opened at eight and closed at five, with an
hour at noon, and not more than two weeks vacation in summer. I have
attended school on more than one Saturday, Fourth of July and
Christmas), the school was all expectation. When Mr. Lathrop saw the
bright eyes turned eagerly toward him, a thrill of pleasure stirred his
heart, for he felt that his was the hand to sow good seed, or this was
the soil where it could be made to spring up and bear fruit a hundred
fold.
"I am glad," said he, in his winning voice, "to know that you have done
well and earned the right to hear the best story that I can tell. You
have been studious, obedient and careful to break no rules, and I am
sure that as we become better acquainted, we shall like each other and
get on well together.
"I wish I could say you had _all_ done well, but it grieves me to tell
you, what you know, that one boy has neglected his lessons, been tardy
or so indifferent to my wishes that it would not be right that he
should be allowed to sit with the rest of you and listen to the
incident I am about to relate. I refer to Thomas Britt. Thomas, you
will please take your books and hat and go home."
The words came like a thunderclap. No one expected it, least of all
the youth himself. Every eye was turned toward him and his face
flushed scarlet.
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