“Wait a minute,” said Mr. Stover, “7 times 3 are how many?”
“25,” answered Louis.
“How many children think Louis is right? Hands up!” Not a hand was
raised.
“How many think he was wrong?” All over the room hands came up.
“Go on, Louis,” continued the teacher, “7 times 4.”
“7 times 4 are 32,” said Louis.
“Right or wrong, children?”
“Wrong!” shouted a chorus of children.
“Why, how is this, Louis?” said Mr. Stover. “You knew these numbers
perfectly a moment ago. Come here, Louis.” Louis stepped to the desk.
His back was now turned to the school.
“Louis,” said Mr. Stover in a voice purposely lowered that the other
children might not hear. “Were you cheating when I called on you a
moment ago?” Crestfallen, Louis knew he was caught, so nodded his head
in the affirmative.
“I am so sorry!” Mr. Stover continued. “I was trusting you as an honest
boy. You have shown me that you were not worthy of such confidence.
(After a pause.) Louis, do you know any grown person who is so tricky
and so dishonest that everybody despises him?”
“Yes, Mr. T.,” answered Louis.
“Do you know any man who is so strictly honest and reliable that
everybody trusts him?”
“Yes, Mr. L——.”
“Which would you rather be like, Louis?”
“Like Mr. L——.”
“Very well, sit down on this front seat and learn this table of 7’s. I
will hear you recite it at the recess period.”
In a few minutes the lesson was learned and recited. Louis was dismissed
to finish the period on the playground.