"A very full day!" he said to himself.
"Teacher, counsellor, martyr, constable, nurse--I wonder what next!"
And as he went to his room, he heard Miss S'mantha say to her
sister, "I'm thankful it's not a boy, anyway."
XVIII
A Day of Difficulties
All were in their seats and the teacher had called a class. Carlt
Homer came in.
"You're ten minutes late," said the teacher.
"I have fifteen cows to milk," the boy answered.
"Where do you live?"
"'Bout a mile from here, on the Beach Plains."
"What time do you begin milking?"
"'Bout seven o'clock."
"I'll go to-morrow morning and help you," said the teacher. "We
must be on time--that's a necessary law of the school."
At a quarter before seven in the morning, Sidney Trove presented
himself at the Homers'. He had come to help with the milking, but
found there were only five cows to milk.
"Too bad your father lost so many cows--all in a day," said he.
"It's a great pity. Did you lose anything?"
"No, sir."
"Have you felt to see?"
The boy put his hand in his pocket.
"Not there--it's an inside pocket, way inside o' you. It's where
you keep your honour and pride."
"Wal," said the boy, his tears starting, "I'm 'fraid I have.
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