Only an Irish Boy Part 24

For once, G.o.dfrey found nothing to say, but withdrew in silence.

"You appear to have formed a prejudice against G.o.dfrey, 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 his family, as well as ludicrous."

"I beg pardon, Mrs. Preston, but I must dissent from both your statements. Andrew Burke possesses some excellent qualities in which G.o.dfrey 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 proper respect."

"I venture to say that G.o.dfrey will receive all the respect to which he is ent.i.tled. May I ask if you expect him to be treated with deference, 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 social position of the children who come to me as pupils. From me a poor boy will receive the same instruction, and the same treatment precisely as the son of rich parents. If he behaves as he should, he will always find in me a friend, as well as a teacher. Your son G.o.dfrey shall have no just complaint to make of my treatment. I will give him credit for good conduct and faithful study, but no more than to Andrew Burke, or to any other pupil under the same circ.u.mstances."

"Mr. Stone, I am surprised at your singular style of talking. You wish to do away with all social distinctions."

"I certainly do, madam, in my schoolroom, at least. There must be social differences, I am aware. We cannot all be equally rich or honored, but whatever may be the world's rule, I mean to maintain strict impartiality in my schoolroom."

"Will you require Andy Burke to apologize to G.o.dfrey?"

"Why should I?"

"For his violent a.s.sault 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 to you."

"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 clear that your son has only received his deserts. Of course, he is ent.i.tled to no reparation, as you term it."

"Then, Mr. Stone," said Mrs. Preston, her thin lips compressed with indignation, "since G.o.dfrey cannot meet with fair treatment, I shall be compelled to withdraw him from your school."

"That must be as you please, madam," said the teacher, quite unmoved by 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 wealthiest patrons."

"I have no patrons, madam," said Mr. Stone, proudly. "I return faithful 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 a poor teacher."

She resolved upon another shot, not in the best of taste.

"You must not be surprised, Mr. Stone," she said, "if the school trustees refuse to employ you again."

"You mistake me utterly," said the teacher, with dignity, "if you suppose that any such threat or consideration will make me swerve from my duty. However, though I did not propose to mention it, I will state that this is the last term I shall teach in this village. I have been engaged at double the salary in a neighboring city."

Mrs. Preston was disappointed to hear this. It was certainly vexatious that the man who had treated her son with so little consideration, who had actually taken the part of a working boy against him, should be promoted to a better situation. She had thought to make him feel that he was in her power, but she now saw that her antic.i.p.ations were not to be realized.

As she did not speak, Mr. Stone considered the interview closed, and rose.

"Good-evening, Mrs. Preston," he said.

"Good-evening, sir," she responded, coldly.

He bowed and withdrew.

When G.o.dfrey, who was not far off, though he had not thought it best to play the part of eavesdropper again, heard the door close, he hurried 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?" said G.o.dfrey, rather surprised that his mother's remonstrance had produced no greater effect.

"Yes, I expressed my opinion very plainly. I must say that he's a very impudent 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."