Miss Giles had a rare opportunity of showing her pupils how to take a
joke. She would have gained friends and lost no more prestige than she
did by trying to force an apology. A wholesome laugh with the pupils is
one of the best things to help overcome disrespect on the part of the
pupils. It would be better, of course, not to be obliged to laugh at
one’s own expense, too often. Supervised play solves many problems like
this one.
An apology unwillingly given is a lie or at best only a subterfuge. No
teacher can command respect by demanding it in so many words. The
teacher can compel respect only by showing her pupils that she deserves
it.