CHAPTER XVMRS. PRESTON'S DISCOMFITURE
Godfrey rose to his feet, red with mortification. His mother lookeddisconcerted. Mr. Stone said nothing, but glanced significantly fromGodfrey to Mrs. Preston.
"What is the matter, Godfrey?" she asked, rather sharply.
"It was an accident," said Godfrey, rather sheepishly.
"You can go out and shut the door, and take care not to let such anaccident happen again. For some unknown reason, Mr. Stone prefers thatyou should not be present, and, therefore, you must go."
For once, Godfrey found nothing to say, but withdrew in silence.
"You appear to have formed a prejudice against Godfrey, Mr. Stone,"said Mrs. Preston.
"I may have formed an unfavorable judgment of him on some points,"said the teacher. "I judge of him by his conduct."
"To say that Andrew Burke is his superior is insulting to him and hisfamily, as well as ludicrous."
"I beg pardon, Mrs. Preston, but I must dissent from both yourstatements. Andrew Burke possesses some excellent qualities in whichGodfrey is deficient."
"He is a poor working boy."
"He is none the worse for that."
"He should remember his position, and treat my son with properrespect."
"I venture to say that Godfrey will receive all the respect to whichhe is entitled. May I ask if you expect him to be treated withdeference, because his father is richer than those of the other boys?"
"It seems to me only proper."
"Do you expect me to treat him any better on that account?"
"I think my son's social position should command respect."
"Then, Mrs. Preston, I entirely disagree with you," said Mr. Stone,firmly. "As a teacher, I have nothing whatever to do with the socialposition of the children who come to me as pupils. From me a poor boywill receive the same instruction, and the same treatment precisely asthe son of rich parents. If he behaves as he should, he will alwaysfind in me a friend, as well as a teacher. Your son Godfrey shall haveno just complaint to make of my treatment. I will give him credit forgood conduct and faithful study, but no more than to Andrew Burke, orto any other pupil under the same circumstances."
"Mr. Stone, I am surprised at your singular style of talking. You wishto do away with all social distinctions."
"I certainly do, madam, in my schoolroom, at least. There must besocial differences, I am aware. We cannot all be equally rich orhonored, but whatever may be the world's rule, I mean to maintainstrict impartiality in my schoolroom."
"Will you require Andy Burke to apologize to Godfrey?"
"Why should I?"
"For his violent assault upon him."
"Certainly not. He was justified in his conduct."
"If my son was doing wrong, the Irish boy, instead of interfering,should have waited till you came, and then reported the matter toyou."
"And, meanwhile, stood by and seen Alfred Parker inhumanly treated?"
"I presume the matter has been greatly exaggerated."
"I do not, madam."
"Do I understand that you decline to make reparation to my son?"
"Reparation for what?"
"For the manner in which he has been treated."
"I must have talked to little purpose, if I have not made it clearthat your son has only received his deserts. Of course, he is entitledto no reparation, as you term it."
"Then, Mr. Stone," said Mrs. Preston, her thin lips compressed withindignation, "since Godfrey cannot meet with fair treatment, I shallbe compelled to withdraw him from your school."
"That must be as you please, madam," said the teacher, quite unmovedby the threatened withdrawal of his richest pupil.
"I shall report to Colonel Preston your treatment of his son."
"I have no objection, madam."
"You are pursuing a very unwise course in alienating your wealthiestpatrons."
"I have no patrons, madam," said Mr. Stone, proudly. "I returnfaithful service for the moderate wages I receive, and the obligation,if there is any, is on the part of those whose children I instruct."
"Really," thought Mrs. Preston, "this man is very independent for apoor teacher."
She resolved upon another shot, not in the best of taste.
"You must not be surprised, Mr. Stone," she said, "if the schooltrustees refuse to employ you again."
"You mistake me utterly," said the teacher, with dignity, "if yousuppose that any such threat or consideration will make me swerve frommy duty. However, though I did not propose to mention it, I will statethat this is the last term I shall teach in this village. I have beenengaged at double the salary in a neighboring city."
Mrs. Preston was disappointed to hear this. It was certainly vexatiousthat the man who had treated her son with so little consideration, whohad actually taken the part of a working boy against him, should bepromoted to a better situation. She had thought to make him feel thathe was in her power, but she now saw that her anticipations were notto be realized.
As she did not speak, Mr. Stone considered the interview closed, androse.
"Good-evening, Mrs. Preston," he said.
"Good-evening, sir," she responded, coldly.
He bowed and withdrew.
When Godfrey, who was not far off, though he had not thought it bestto play the part of eavesdropper again, heard the door close, hehurried into the room.
"Well, mother, what did he say?" he inquired, eagerly.
"He obstinately refused to make any reparation to you."
"Did you tell him what you thought of his treatment of me?" saidGodfrey, rather surprised that his mother's remonstrance had producedno greater effect.
"Yes, I expressed my opinion very plainly. I must say that he's a veryimpudent man. The idea of a poor teacher putting on such airs!"continued Mrs. Preston, tossing her head.
"What did he say?"
"That that Irish boy was superior to you."
"I'd like to knock him over," said Godfrey, wrathfully.
Mrs. Preston was a lady, and it is not to be supposed that she shouldjoin in her son's wish. Still, it did not occur to her that she shouldmourn very much if Mr. Stone met with a reverse. She would like to seehis pride humbled, not reflecting that her own was greater and lessjustifiable.
"You ought to have told him that he would lose his school," saidGodfrey. "That would have frightened him, for he is a poor man, anddepends on the money he gets for teaching."
"He is not going to teach here after this term."
"Good! Did he tell you that?"
"Yes."
"He is afraid of me, after all."
"You are mistaken, Godfrey. He is offered considerably higher pay inanother place."
Godfrey's countenance fell. It was as disagreeable to him as to hismother to learn that Mr. Stone was to be promoted in his profession.
"Shall I have to go to school again, mother?" he asked, after a pause.
"No," said Mrs. Preston, with energy. "Upon that I have determined.While Mr. Stone is teacher, you shall not go back. I will take care tolet it be known in the neighborhood why I keep you at home. I hope thenext teacher will be a man who understands the respect due to socialposition. I don't care to have you put on an equality with such boysas Andrew Burke. He is no fit associate for you."
"That is what I think, mother," said Godfrey. "The low beggar! I'dlike to come up with him. Perhaps, I shall have a chance some day."
When Colonel Preston returned home, the whole story was told to him;but, colored though it was, he guessed how matters actually stood, andwas far from becoming his son's partisan. He privately went to Mr.Stone and obtained his version of the affair.
"You did right, Mr. Stone," he said, at the end. "If my son chooses toact the bully, he must take the consequences. Mrs. Preston does notlook upon it in the same light, and insists upon my taking Godfreyfrom school. For the sake of peace, I must do so, but you must notconstrue it as showing any disapproval on my part of your course inthe matter."
"Thank you, Colonel Preston," said the teacher, warmly. "I can onlyregret Mrs. Preston's displeasure. Your approval I highly value, andit will encourage me in the path of duty."