[Sidenote: Marking Books]
Something was wrong in the McLain High School; even Orpha Barbour, one
of the most decorous girls in school, was ineffectually trying to keep
from giggling. Mr. Coleman endeavored to locate the cause of the
disturbance and saw that a book was being surreptitiously passed about
and that whoever received it was vastly amused.
He demanded that the book be given to him. On the fly leaf he saw what
was named “Our museum.” Under this title were caricatures of some of the
students as follows: under the drawing of tall, slender Clayton Lynd was
written “Spider—C. L.” Heavy-jawed Barney McCormack was designated
“Bulldog—B. McC.” Then followed the monkey; the crawfish, a girl who was
always ready to recant; the queen bee, the leader among the girls; the
mule, a stubborn fellow; and the grasshopper, Mr. Coleman, who had made
a great leap to reach an unruly boy a day or two before.
“Who did this drawing?” asked Mr. Coleman, flushed with anger.
Nobody seemed to know.
Mr. Coleman turned to the front of the book—an algebra—and found it
belonged to Victor Tucker.
“Victor Tucker, did you draw these disgraceful pictures?”
“No, sir.”
“Do you know who did it?”
“I’d rather not answer,” said Victor.
“You are suspended, sir, until you do answer,” said Mr. Coleman. Then
turning to address all of the students, he said, “I shall keep a close
watch for marked-up books hereafter, and shall punish every pupil who
puts extraneous markings of any kind in any of his textbooks.”