of Room 13 reported each morning and afternoon.
"I wonder," said Mr. Banning, "if we want just that? The United States passes laws and so do the several States. But they do not keep count on us individually to see that we obey. They presume that good citizens will obey. If there might be some method by which each student would take the responsibility of reporting his own time." The teacher looked about the room.
"Why," George Praska asked slowly, "why can't each fellow sign his own time as he comes in? It's up to him to be square about it."
They settled it in that way; and Mr. Banning, who had been hoping that they would rise to the occasion of responsibility, felt his spirits soar. What a fine understanding they had brought to Room 13! And then a cloud appeared upon his sky. Back toward the rear of the room a thin boy sprawled in a seat with dejection, bitterness and resentment written in every line of his face.
The hall bells rang for the start of a period. As Room 13 began to empty itself, Mr. Banning walked down toward the door. He was there when the thin boy approached.
"Anything wrong, Perry?" he asked.
Perry shook his head.
"What do you think of our room?"
