THE LAST LESSON 3

could hear in the street ; desks opened
and shut, lessons conned aloud all
together, with hands over ears to learn
better, and the big ruler of the master
tapping on the table: ‘More silence
there.’

I had counted on all this commo-
tion to gain my desk unobserved ; but
precisely that day all was quiet as a
Sunday morning. Through the open
window I could see my comrades
already in their places, and M. Hamel,
who was walking up and down with
the terrible ruler under his arm. I
had to open the door and enter in the
midst of this complete silence. You
can fancy how red I turned and how
frightened I was.

But, no, M. Hamel looked at me with:
out any anger, and said very gently :

‘Take your place quickly, my little |
Franz, we were just going to begin
without you.’

I climbed up on the bench and sat
down at once at my desk. Only then,