Williams was there to meet them with a smile. She was a very pretty school-teacher, and her pupils loved her.
Soon the final bell rang, and then the children from the different rooms marched into the one, big main hall, or auditorium, where the morning exercises were held. There were many new pupils present this first day of the term.
There was singing, the reading of the Bible, and prayers, and then Mr. Tetlow, the principal of the school, greeted those present. He spoke of the fire, and what had happened at it, and mentioned the delay in opening the school. He welcomed all who had now come, and said he hoped they would all study hard to make up for lost time.
"And now," went on the principal, "I have something not so pleasant to say. But it has to be done, and it may be for the good of all of us. One of our pupils was suspended last term for doing something wrong. We all do wrong sometimes, but if we are sorry for it, and try not to do it again, we should be forgiven.
"And so I hope when you hear Jed Burr say that he is sorry, you will all forgive him, and be friends with him again. Now Jed, let's get it over with," and he smiled at the former bully, who sat in a front seat. The principal wanted to make it as easy as he could for the lad.
Jed was very red in the face as he shuffled up to the platform. He hung down his head, and no one could doubt but that his punishment was hard. He stood for a moment before all the school, getting very red in the face.
"Well," said Mr. Tetlow, kindly, "go on, Jed. Just a few words, to tell us you are sorry."
"I—I—er—I done wrong," stammered poor Jed, "and I'm sorry for it!"
The principal stepped up beside him.
"That is enough," he said. "You did very well, Jed. Now
