"Yes--I see." Amanda's face was troubled. "That's Lyman's work." The

injustice of the thing hurt her. "Of course, I can get another school,

but I like Crow Hill, I know the children and we get along so well, and

it's near home----"

"Well," came Millie's spirited question, "surely you ain't goin' to let

Mertzheimers do like they want? I don't believe in this foldin' hands

and lookin' meek and leavin' people use you for a shoe mat! Here, come

in once till I tell you somethin'," she called as Mrs. Reist, Philip

and Uncle Amos came through the yard. She repeated her account of the

news the strangers had unwittingly imparted to her at market.

"The skunk," said Philip.

"Skunk?" repeated Uncle Amos. "I wouldn't insult the little black and

white furry fellow like that! A skunk'll trot off and mind his own

business if you leave him alone, and, anyhow, he'll put up his tail for

a danger signal so you know what's comin' if you hang around."

"Well, then," said the boy, "call him a snake, a rattlesnake."

"And that's not quite hittin' the mark, either. A rattlesnake rattles

before he strikes. I say mean people are more like the copperhead, that

hides in the grass and leaves that are like its own color, and when you

ain't expectin' it and without any warnin', he'll up and strike you

with his poison fangs. What are you goin' to do about it, Amanda?"

"Do? I'll do nothing. What can I do?"

"You might go round and see the directors and ask them to vote for

you," suggested Millie. "I wouldn't let them people get the best of me

--just for spite now I wouldn't!"

"I won't ask for one vote!" Amanda was decided in that. "The men on the

board have had a chance to see how the school is run, and if it doesn't

please them, or if they are going to have one man rule them and tell

them how to vote--let them go! I'll hand in my application, that's all

I'll do."

"What for need you be so stiff-headed?" asked Millie sadly. "It'll

spite us all if they put you out and you go off somewheres to teach.

Ach, abody wonders sometimes why some people got to be so mean in this

world."

"It is always that way," said Mrs. Reist gently. "There are weeds

everywhere, even in this Garden Spot. Why, I found a stalk of deadly

nightshade in my rose-bed last summer."

"Wheat and chaff, I guess," was Uncle Amos's comment.

"But, Amanda," asked Millie, "ain't there some person over the

directors, boss over them?"

"Just the County Superintendent, and he's not really boss over them. He

comes round to the schools every year and the directors come with him

and, of course, if he blames a teacher they hear it, and if he praises

one they hear it."




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