[Sidenote: Slowness]
Freddie Jones came to Darrtown school from a home in which children
received little attention from their parents. Naturally Freddie was
somewhat undeveloped physically, slow and clumsy in all his movements.
“Good morning, Freddie,” said his teacher as he came slowly up the
steps. Miss Patterson took him by the hand as soon as he was within
reach and walked at a smart gait across the floor.
Freddie would have pulled away, but the teacher’s hand felt so friendly
as it clasped his own and her pleasant chatter left no time for him to
plan resistance.
“Now run out and play until I ring the bell.” Freddie was willing to go,
but moved with a lazy deliberation. Just at that moment a group of noisy
players dashed past the door and Miss Patterson clasped Freddie by the
hand and fairly rushed him along, saying,
“Here we go”; and,
“We’ll soon catch up with them.”
As soon as she had landed Freddie among the romping children, she
stopped and waving her hand to Freddie, gave him another cheering word.
When the bell rang Freddie was the last to form in line. She gently
hastened his step and marched beside him, urging him with her hand to
keep the pace.