Wendell Smith was a son of Dr. Smith, one of the most influential men in
the village. He was handsome, well-dressed, well-mannered and very
intelligent. He had delightful books, mechanical and constructive toys,
a bicycle, a watch, and now a few days after he entered the fourth grade
his father gave him a pony and carriage for a birthday present.
[Sidenote: Jealous of “Rich Boy”]
Mark Hazard was in the same grade at school. Their teacher was Miss
Hosiner. Mark was a wide-awake boy who was often in mischief. He was
coarse in his speech and manners. He criticized adversely every one of
Wendell’s possessions and was always glad when for any reason Wendell
failed to recite well. When the boys played, Mark would say: “Don’t ask
Wendell to come, he might get his clothes dirty.” When Wendell missed
the word “giraffe” Mark whispered sibilantly, “He can spell ‘pony’;
that’s all the animal he knows.”
Miss Hosiner knew that Mark disliked Wendell and felt sure that jealousy
was at the bottom of his sneers and coarse remarks, but she didn’t know
how to bring about a change.
There was a pool of muddy water near the back door after every rain.
This was spanned by a plank over which the children walked to the
playground.
One day Mark and Wendell were both on the plank when Mark deftly tripped
Wendell, who fell splash into the muddy water. Had Mark used common
courtesy Wendell would doubtless have laughed at his own plight, but
when he looked up to see Mark’s sneer as he said sarcastically, “Now
you’re some dolled up ain’t you?” he said, “Mark Hazard, you’ve got to
smart for this.”
Miss Hosiner had seen it all from the window and understood the
situation perfectly. She went to the door and said, “Wendell, you may go
home and change your clothes; Mark, you may go in and take your seat and
you may have all of your intermissions alone for a week. As soon as you
come in the morning, and at noon, you may take your seat at once. I will
allow you a separate time for your recess from that of pupils who know
how to behave toward each other. Since you can’t act decently toward
other boys, you may play by yourself.”
As the group separated Mark shook his fist at Miss Hosiner’s retreating
back and openly made an ugly face at Wendell.
Not only during the week of his punishment but throughout the year he
showed insolence toward Miss Hosiner and distinct dislike for Wendell.