Evidently Mr. C— had time to measure the situation with care. This
matter of failing students is so familiar that he can be prepared,
without uncertainty, for puzzling situations.
[Sidenote: Refuses to Lie]
Mr. C— can proceed as follows: ask the high school teachers privately
the following question, “If after a teacher has done his best with a
student and he fails, is it right to give him a passing grade?” The
answer, “Yes” or “No,” is to be secured from each teacher. Nine times
out of ten the answer will be “No.”
Make a record of every effort and failure of Leslie, and at the end make
a memorandum of the teacher’s opinion and file it with the principal.
Then when questioned by pupils, refer to the facts on this report and
say, “I have turned the matter over to the principal.” Have a frank talk
with Leslie if you have managed him without friction so far, and if he
begs to be allowed to play anyway in spite of the rules, say, “You do
not want me to do what is not fair, do you?”
Hold out to the end without flinching, and take the consequences. Have
Leslie informed on every step you take.