Ben Hadley's conversion had indeed been sudden,and,as in most similar cases,he found some difficulty in staying converted.While his pride was flattered by the confidence reposed in him by Miss Frost,there were times when his old mischievous propensities almost overcame him.On the third day,as John Cotton was passing Ben's desk,the latter suddenly thrust out his foot into the passageway between the desks,and John tumbled over it,breaking his slate.
"What's the matter?"asked Mabel,looking up from the book from which she was hearing another class.
"Ben Hadley tripped me up,"said John,rubbing his shins,and looking ruefully at his broken slate.
"Did you,Ben?"asked Mabel.
Ben was already sorry and ashamed,as he would not have been under any other teacher.
With all his faults he was a boy of truth,and he answered "Yes,"rather sheepishly.
"You should be careful not to keep your feet in the aisle,"said Miss Frost quietly."I suppose you'll be willing to buy John a new slate.""Yes,"said Ben promptly,glad to have the matter end thus.
"I need a slate now,"grumbled John.
"I'll lend you mine,"said Ben at once,"and buy you a better one than I broke."Mabel quite understood that the accident was "done on purpose."She did not want to humiliate Ben,but rather to keep him on his good behavior.So she was as friendly and confidential as ever,and Ben preserved his self respect.
He kept his promise,and bought John the most expensive slate he could find in the village store.
Mabel very soon found herself mistress of the situation.Experience goes for a good deal,but it does not always bring with it the power of managing boys and girls.Mabel seemed to possess this instinctively.Before the week was out,all was running smoothly in her department,a little to the disappointment of Miss Clarissa Bassett,who felt that the school should have been hers.
Mabel still boarded at the hotel.
She was quietly on the look out for a more desirable boarding place.
Among her scholars was a little girl of nine,whose cheap dress indicated poverty,but who possessed a natural refinement,which in her was more marked than in any other pupil.Mabel inquired into her circumstances,and learned that her father had been an officer in the army,who had died soon after his marriage.
All that he left to his widow was a small cottage,and a pension of twenty dollars a month to which his services entitled her.On this small sum,and a little additional earned by sewing,Mrs.Kent supported her family,which,besides Rose,included a boy two years younger,who was in Miss Bassett's school.One afternoon Mabel walked home with Rose,and introduced herself to Mrs.Kent.She found her a delicate and really refined woman,such as she imagined Rose would grow to be in time.Everything in the house was inexpensive,but there were traces of good taste about the little establishment.
"I am glad to see you,Miss Frost,"said Mrs.Kent,with quiet cordiality.
"I have heard of you continually from Rose,who is your enthusiastic admirer.""Rose and I are excellent friends,"said Mabel,smiling kindly on the little girl."She never gives me any trouble.""I have never heard of any complaints from any of her teachers.One thing that Ihave heard surprises me,Miss Frost.You have wonderfully changed Ben Hadley,who had been the torment of previous teachers."Mabel smiled."I like Ben,"she said."From the first I saw that he had many good points.He was merely mischievous.""Merely?"repeated Mrs.Kent smiling.
"Mischief may give a good deal of trouble,but the spirit that leads to it may be turned into another channel.This I think I have done with Ben.I find him very bright when he exerts his abilities.
"You understand managing boys,I can see clearly.Yet I hear that this is your first school.""I have never entered a country school till I commenced teaching here.""Your success is wonderful."
"Don't compliment me prematurely,Mrs.Kent.Failure may yet be in store for me.""I think not."
"And I hope not."
"You are living at the hotel,I believe?""Only temporarily.I am looking for a pleasant boarding place.""Mrs.Breck might be willing to take you.She has boarded several teachers before."Mabel had met Mrs.Breck.She had the reputation of being a good housekeeper,but withal she was a virago,and her husband a long suffering victim of domestic tyranny.She was a thin little woman,with a shrewish face,who was seldom known to speak well of anybody.
"I don't think I should enjoy boarding with Mrs.Breck,"said Mabel.
