Mme. M monologue — Seeking his fortune, and other dialogues

(_without heeding him_). I see the young man standing before a tall, stern-looking person. The young man is talking earnestly, but I cannot hear his words. The tall man listens attentively, and soon the young man goes out. The tall man seems angry. Hark! he speaks: “So this is the way the boys spend the hours they should be employed in study. No wonder recitations are poor. But it is fortunate that I have discovered the cause in such good time. I will make an example of this case, and will inflict on the chief offender such a severe punishment that it will strike terror into the hearts of the remainder of the school. What shall it be? Ha! I have it. John, bring me a strong rope, and a couple of good willow switches. Then call together the scholars.”