The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-13
PATSY AND
THE PRINCIPAL

How He Cleared Away Her Troubles
Over Decimals and Miss Murphy.
Going up the front walk of school.
Patsy met Mr.. Granville, the princi-
pal. He had known her from the
year she entered the first reader and
always called her by her full name.
well, Margaret" he said, how are
you getting on this term?"
Pretty WE'LL" said Patsy. vaguely.
"O-oh!" said Mr.. Granville; "only
pretty well? What's the matter?"
He bent a pair of very fierce eyes
on Patsy.
"T don't understand my decimals,"
returned Patsy.
But" said Mr.. Granville, you've
always done we'll before this
Yes, 1 liked fractions and things
but don't see any sense to decimals.
Suppose said Mr.. Granville, slow
ly, suppose you come down to my
office after school tonight and let's
see If can't put some sense into them
"oh, thank you." Patsy replied.
cheerfully. And sure enough they
seemed just as simple and plain as
day, after Mr.. Granville explained
few things, and Patsy worked lots
and lots of examples right off.
After the opening exercises next
morning, Patsy found herself sudden
ly turning all hot and cold, for Miss
Murphy had fastened a pair of sharp
eyes on her.
PATSY Newton" she said, sternly.
and a solemn hush settled over the
room; II found your books in Mr..
Granville's office last night after
ero har fnY
Yes" said Patsy.
I'D like to see you after school,"
snapped Miss Murphy.
Patsy blushed up to the roots of
her hair and smarted under the in
justice. She knew she had a right
to go to Mr.. Granville's Office and
that she did not deserve to be dis
graced before the whole school.
What did you go to Mr.. Gran
vile for?" Miss Murphy demanded
later when they were alone.
He explained some decimals to
me-" replied Patsy.
Ibid you ask him tor
NO" said Patsy, IT met him and
he asked me how l wuz gettin' on
and 1 said I didn't understand deci-
mails"
"You had no business to say such
things" cried Miss Murphy, angrily.
IL try as hard as / can to make you
understand. and you either don't or
won't. You're the most trying child
I've ever had in any of my classes
The other children get along all
right"
Patsy looked at her shoes and swal-
lowed hard. She just wouldn't cry
before Miss Murphy.
You may go now" said Miss Muir
ply, but If you expect to get on you
will please to come to me instead of
sneaking off to Mr.. Granville"
But Patsy was not as easily scared
as Miss Murphy thought, and instead
of going home she went straight to
Mr.. Granville, and asked IL she
couldn't possibly be put in some other
room, because she did not mean to
be bad and yet Miss Murphy didn't
seem to understand that. She'd even
be willing to go back whole class if
she could have Miss Morton again.
Don't the other children get along
all right?" asked the principal
well" replied Patsy, thoughtfully.
THE smart ones understand the ex-
amples better'n l do and the others
do just as the book says, and so they
don't care about the reasons, and /
don't mean to be horrid, but / do
think of questions / want to ask, and
l suppose they are silly ones"
out all that Miss Murphy had said TO
Patsy. although Patsy had had no
idea of telling tales.
Hmm" said Mr.. Granville.
thoughtfully; "and you say you'd be
willing TO go back whole half year.
Let me ask you a few questions"
Then he tested her I'm reading, and
spelling, and geography and Patsy
wondered what under the sun was go-
ing 10 happen.
"How would you like 10 be promoted
to the next class instead OF going
back2" he said az last. You'd have
20 work pretty hard, but that wouldn't
hurt you. / rather think this grade Is
easy for you IN spite OF the decimals.
n you have trouble with them you
can come 20 me for help"
oh" said Patsy, breathlessly. IRA
work honest true, only mama might
not like Il. She doesent want me 20
! 80 too fast"