My School Day. 51
But when I glanced across at him, he greeted me
with such astonishing grins and grimaces of welcome,
that he set the whole class giggling, and made me
feel hotter and more uncomfortable than ever. It
was a chapter in the Bible that was being read, and
I was quite capable of taking part in it; but when
my turn came, I found my voice absolutely gone, and
no cffort of mine could bring out more than a
hoarse whisper. Mr. Tombs therefore passed me
over, remarking, to stop the laughter of the rest,
that it would be no bad thing if some of the other
boys were to lose their voices too. I had to submit
to a good deal of secret patting on the back from
my next neighbours ; but I did not much mind it,
only that it made me feel rather sick. I have for-
gotten what chapter it was that was read—one out
of Leviticus, I think—but no questions were asked
as to the meaning ; as soon as the reading was over,
the books were shut up.

The next lesson was dictation. I had never
written, except upon a slate on my knee, and the
new position at the desk embarrassed me. I found
it impossible, too, to follow the words which were
read out to us, distracted as ] was by whispcrings
behind me of “ Poor Miss Benny! and is she
frightened? and has her lady left her here all
alone?” I was conscious that I had done very