It is inexcusable for a teacher to give angry or even unpremeditated
treatment to a case that has been developing for some time. Miss Bush
touched upon a very serious question when she gave commands concerning
what the children had to eat in their lunches. In her talks on manners
the teacher can easily place special emphasis upon such phases of the
subject as are most nearly related to the habits of her pupils. These
general remarks can hurt the feelings of no one, since they are given to
the entire school.
The part that unselfishness plays in what is usually termed good manners
can thus be clearly brought out. Some teachers ask their pupils to learn
the following couplet in this connection:
“Politeness is to do and say
The kindest thing in the kindest way.”