[Sidenote: Too Great Absorption]
Miss Bersley was a teacher in the fourth grade of a school in Brockton,
Maine. She was an enthusiastic young woman, but there was one great
drawback to her teaching. She became so interested in what she was
saying, that she gave the backward pupils in her room no chance to
recite. They were too slow. She was always sure of a quick reply from
such children as Spencer Thorpe. He was ever ready to speak on every
subject, even though he was not always informed. Miss Bersley would not
have openly admitted this to be the situation, but her recitations
disclosed her attitude.
“Name the principal manufacturing towns in New England.”
Up went Spencer’s hand.
Miss Bersley hesitated.
Spencer flung his arm around until she said, “All right! Spencer, since
you are so anxious to recite, you may tell us.”
Once on his feet, he named one town after another, as fast as they came
into his mind, regardless of whether they were manufacturing towns or
whether they were located in New England.
“What natural advantages does New England have for manufacturing?”
As usual, Spencer raised his hand.
“Very well, Spencer.”
So, through over thirty minutes recitation, out of a class of
thirty-five, Spencer Thorpe was called upon five times, while many less
forward pupils were given no opportunity for self-expression.