[Sidenote: “Helping” by Whispering]
Lawrence seemed given to constant whispering. The most trying thing
about it was that he seemed to whisper more constantly while class
instruction was going on than at other times. Miss Blair was the more
puzzled over this because Lawrence was an exceptionally bright pupil,
and very courteous. This matter of whispering was the only case in which
he failed to obey Miss Blair.
When she spoke to him about it he listened respectfully with flushed
face and downcast eyes. He certainly did not seem indifferent to her
wishes, yet the very next time she began to pronounce words in spelling
he seemed to divide his attention between writing the words and
whispering to Freddie, who sat just behind him.
When she stood near Lawrence, he did not whisper; furthermore he always
seemed to whisper to Freddie only.
She consulted Freddie about changing his seat, but found him anxious to
retain his place behind Lawrence. She decided that the best plan was to
punish Lawrence as well as others for whispering. So she announced that
five minutes would be deducted from the recess period of a pupil for
every time he whispered.
She was surprised to find that this seemed to place no restraint upon
Lawrence. He whispered as much as ever and lost every recess like a
little soldier.
When this had been going on for two weeks, one day Sarah, who sat just
behind Freddie, hung around Miss Blair’s desk plainly trying to get up
courage to say something. Finally, Miss Blair said, “What is it, Sarah?”
Sarah replied, “Freddie makes Lawrence whisper.” Miss Blair said in
astonishment, “How can that be?”
“Why,” said Sarah, “Freddie can’t tell just what you want, or he can’t
spell the words and he punches Lawrence in the back and Lawrence tells
him what to do or how to spell the words.”
Here, then, was the key to the situation, which Freddie had been too
selfish and Lawrence too manly to disclose.
Freddie was given a seat near Miss Blair’s desk where she could help
him, and Lawrence ceased to whisper. The sadness which had shown in his
face at every recess was replaced by happy relaxation.