When Miss Barton had charge of the high school assembly room in Geneva,
Illinois, it was always a time for unlimited privilege on the part of
the pupils.
“Miss Barton, may I speak to Elsie?” Susan Emmons asked, without raising
her hand.
Two blonde heads were soon together talking over what they were going to
wear to Jeannette’s party.
Two minutes later: “Please, may I speak?” This was from a demure-looking
girl who was never known to ask this privilege from any other teacher.
Several minutes passed without a reply from Miss Barton. She was
enjoying some peace in reading her home newspaper when again, “Miss
Barton, may I speak to Susan?”
“Yes” (said without thinking).
Then, when Elsie was on her way to speak to Susan, she recalled, “Didn’t
I just give you permission?”
“No, you gave Susan permission to speak to me.”
[Sidenote: Too Frequent Speaking]
“All right.” Miss Barton sighed as she turned her attention to another
part of the room, where two boys were amusing themselves looking out of
the window.