Miss Smith came from the State Normal School to have charge of the two
upper grades after forming some very definite ideas on how to maintain
order among adolescent boys.
[Sidenote: Gum Chewing]
The second morning she was conducting an arithmetic lesson when she
found that Susie Hall was enjoying her chewing gum more than she did the
assignment.
“What is your name?” said Miss Smith, pointing somewhat definitely
toward the offending pupil.
“I am Susie Hall.”
“Well, Susie, are you interested at all in this work in arithmetic? I
could hardly believe it since I see your jaws going” (mocking Susie in a
very exaggerated fashion).
Susie was just a little surprised to have her manners noted so keenly
and commented on so quickly, and replied, “Yes’m. I guess I like
arithmetic.”
“Well, we can’t have this gum chewing, and you can just step away from
the blackboard and find some place to throw out your chewing gum. When
that is done, come back and we will see what we can do with this
arithmetic.”
Now Susie was only one of a dozen who in former days had more or less
privilege in the matter of gum chewing, so that there was a sympathetic
wave of resentment quickly resounding throughout the room.
Nevertheless, there was no immediate outbreak of anger from Susie or
anyone else in the room.