"Yes-s-s," said he; "yes-s-s! around like a ball! Do you find it much in
your way, eh? Do you often give it such a kick as that, eh? Well, take
your seats! take your seats!"
The Superintendent of Schools seemed disinclined to evoke any further
catastrophes of this sort, but proceeded to discourse to me, aside, in a
confidential growl, on the peculiar and erratic natures of the benighted
Wallencampers.
"Their minds," he said, with a grim smile, "have no receptivity. They
must originate, or they are naught. Parents and children--they are all
the same. I am convinced that there is no scholarship to be established
here. It has been tried and the attempt has failed a hundred times. It's
not in the nature of things. Get on the good side of them, that's all.
That has failed sometimes, but it is not among the impossible things. Get
on the good side of them."
Finally, he turned to address the children. The "examins" had certainly
not been severe, but the "blowin' up" was faithfully and liberally
performed.
Never before had I felt so drawn to my poor, wondering, wolf-besieged
flock, and in proportion to my tenderness for them waxed my indignation
toward the "Turkey Mogul.
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