Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-09-27
CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.
The Government inspection was always
one of the events of the year at Little Pud-
dington 1t generally took place IN the
end of August The Inspector was an
elderly gentleman, whose proper name was
| Christopher Wensby; but whose ordinary
name among the teachers Of his district
was "The Walrus," from the fact that his
( bald forehead and white mustache point
| ing downward in a straight line on each
side of his mouth gave him decided re-
semblance to that creature. Report stated
that Mr.. Wensby and Miss Jordan had had
tender, or semi-tender, passages at some re-
mote epoch. At any rate, they were very
good friends; and Mr.. Wensby always
i dined at the rectory once year, when his
! tolls in the little village schoolroom were
over The day came; the inspection was
duly performed and at the end of the day
| Mr. Wensby sat down at the rector's hos
pitable table.
'And what do you think of our new
mistress ?" asked the rector, as he began to
carve the joint.
"a very superior person-yery superior
person indeed" returned the Inspector.
Miss Jordan's chin was lifted little
higher in the air as this answer was given;
but the gesture went unnoticed.
"Ah Glad you think so. We consider
her quite an acquisition" said Mr.. Dow
| thwaite.
"Yes; there seems to be an improvement
in all directions" continued Mr.. Wensby;
shut especially in the needle work. Under
the former mistress the needlework was
very clumsy; now it is admirable"
Miss Jordan smiled incredulously.
~ assure you have received very neat
specimens of buttonholing," said the In
! spector. "The department cannot fail to
be pleased with them. can show you
them after dinner, if you like"
81 should very much like to see them, .
said Miss Jordan, dryly.
After dinner, accordingly, the specimens
were produced, and very neatly executed
| they were.
81 don't believe our girls ever did that
work" said Miss Jordan, solemnly, as she
bent over the buttonholes.
"But I saw them p calculated Mr.
| Wensby.
$50 the stuff in their hands, dare say,
returned the lady "What do gentlemen
know about things of that sort ~ she add
ed, contemptuousley.
81 have always to report as to the quail.
| ity of the needlework," said the Inspector
stifly, and with slight blush. 'But if
you assure me, from your own knowledge
| of the children, that they could not have
done this work themselves, it will be my
duty to institute further inquiry"
81 am certain of it" said Miss Jordan
That evening Mr.. Wensby compared
notes with his host, and the rector con
fessed that he was urprised-seeretly, he
was startled-to find what a large number
of "attendances" had been made, even by
the most irregular of the village children
ave have board meeting tomorrow,
i said Mr. Dowthwaite.
"Then ask Miss Grayling TO attend it,
said Mr.. Wensby, and ask her whether
the children actually did the needIewort
themselves. If she says they did, | will
fix a day can come over in about thres
weeks-to see them do some more speci
mems; and Miss Jordan can be present
If there is a marked discrepancy between
the two sets of work, why, of course,
must report accordingly, and you can con
slider the matter at the next board meet
ing"
All this made the rector feel very uncom
Portable. But there was no help for it, anC
the next day he sent verbal message tC
the schoolmistress, requesting her to stel
over to the rectory, where the Schoo
Board was then sitting.
''Miss Crawling" said the rector, no
withou. embarrassment, II believe tina
her Majesty's Inspector will be able to re
port very fayorably on the condition of tn
school" Miss Grayling bowed politely
"There is one point, however, on which
should like to ask you one or two ques
tions. These pieces of sewing, now"-anC
he produced them from a drawer as h
spoke-"seem to me very neat, very credit
able; but are you sure that the children
whose names are attacked to them die
them themselves, unaided ?"
"Quite sure" said Mrs. Crawling, tran
guilty"
"And the attendances = they seen
much larger than they used to be. Ar
you sure you have kept the register &C
curately.
+ Perfectly sure" said Miss Grayling
looking the clergyman full in the face.
One or two members of the Boarc
moved uneasily in their seats, and Mr.
Sowerbutts seemed to be on the point o
protesting against these aspersions on Mis-
Cravings good faith. The rector fel
very uncomfortable.
Every good, Miss Crawling" ne said
81 am glad to hear you say so. And
think we needn't detain you any longer.
The schoolmistress slowly rose, bowe
IN her usual dignifed manner and with
drew.
Before long it got abroad in Little .Pud
dington that Miss Grayling was in dis
grace, or at least in a condition Of suspende
: favor. Various reasons were given for thi.
the most popular theory being that tn
new mistress had been caught stealing tn
/. school pence. The matter was DISGUISE