Miss Halleck was an English instructor in a high school in a small town
in Pennsylvania. She had the reputation of being closer in touch with
her pupils than any other teacher in the school.
[Sidenote: Leading Suggestions]
She learned the temperament of every pupil and never failed to give
careful consideration to the laggard, the listless, or the nervous
child.
One young girl had such fear when called upon to recite, that she could
hardly stand up.
“Muriel, you are interested in gardening, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” (This was said while Muriel remained seated.)
“I knew you were. Do you remember what you told me about your dahlias?”
“Yes.” (This is said in a more interested tone of voice.)
“The class should know this, Muriel. Stand up and tell them what you
told me.”
Muriel responded with flushed cheeks, embarrassed, to be sure, but not
to the degree that fear was foremost in her mind. A substitute in the
form of a personal interest had taken its place.