The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-03
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 moustache pointing
downward in straight line on each side
of his mouth gave him decided resem-
blance to that creature. Report stated
that Mr.. Wensby and Miss Jordan had
had tender, or semi-tender, passages at
some remote epoch. At any rate they
were very good friends; and Mr.. Wensby
always dined at the rectory once year,
when his tolls in the little village school
room were oyer, The day came; the
inspection was duly performed; and at the
end of the day Mr. Wensby sat down at
the rector's hospitable table.
"And what do you think of our new
mistress ?" asked the rector, as he began to
carve the joint.
"a very superior person-very superior
person indeed" returned the Inspector.
Miss Jordans 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
thwaithe.
ayes; there seemed an improvement in
all directions" continued Mr.. Wensby;
"but especially in the needlework. Under
the former mistress the needlework was
very clumsy; now it is admirable
Miss Jordan smiled incredulously.
81 assure you | have received very neat
specimens of button-holing," said the In
spector. "The department cannot fail to
be pleased with them. can show you
them after dinner, if you like"
a 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 button-holes
''But l saw them ~ calculated Mr..
Wensby.
'sSaw the stuff in their hands, | dare
say returned the lady. "What do gentle
men know about things of that sort ?" she
added contemptuously.
81 have always to report as to the quail
ity of the needlework, said the Inspector
stiffiy 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"
~ am certain of it, said Miss Jordan.
That evening Mr.. Wensby compared
notes with his host, and the rector con-
fessed that he was surprised secretly he
was startled-to find what large number
of "attendances had been made even by
the most irregular of the village children.
awe have a board meeting tomorrow, +"
said Mr.. Dowthwaite.
"Then ask Miss Grayling TO attend it, +"
said Mr.. Wensby, "and ask her whether
the children actually did the needlework
themselves. If she says they did I will
fix day. can come over in about three
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 meeting"
All this made the rector feel very uncom-
Portable. But there was no help for it, aud
the next day he sent a verbal message to
the schoolmistress, requesting her to step
over to the reCtory, where the School
Board was then sitting.
"Miss Grayling," said the rector, not
without embarrassment, II believe that
her Majesty's inspector will be able to
report very favorably of the condition Of the
school," Miss Grayling bowed politely.
aThere Is one point, however, on which
should like to ask you one or two ques-
tons. These pieces of sewing, now aud
he produced them from drawer as he