Chapter XIV: School Trials

Whistler’s first day at school—Unhappy 224
recollections—A severe
disappointment—Interview with his
father—Why Whistler did not get into
the high school—He is acquitted of
blame—His reluctance to return to his
old school—His character as a
scholar—A failure the first
day—Mortification—A commission from
the teacher—Its acceptance—Clinton’s
puzzle—The drawings commenced—A
difficult task—Whistler’s ambition
aroused—Clinton’s visit to the
school—An insulting nickname proposed
for a new scholar—Whistler’s
interference in his behalf—He is
himself attacked—His self-control—What
David had to take—A kind word from
Whistler—A challenge—How Whistler
treated it—The young bully’s cowardice
exposed—The school exercises—The
principal’s story—The sick boy—His
first appearance at school—A mean
assailant—A gallant defender—The story
brought home to the school—The verdict
of the scholars on the conduct of the
boys—Who the real dunce is—Difference
between learning easily and studying
hard—Who the most promising scholar
is—Juvenile dulness of famous
men—School dismissed,

CHAPTER XV.

LESSONS IN PHYSIOLOGY.

The drawings finished—A short school 243
lecture—Sitting and standing—The
proper position—Two illustrations—The
sitting position illustrated—Curious
mechanism of the backbone—How it
becomes distorted—Effect of stooping
upon the lungs—An experiment or
two—Keeping the arms on a
level—Ettie’s kitten—Whistler’s
joke—The kitten missed—The
search—Whistler’s sad discovery—Policy
of keeping it secret—A good rule
remembered—A wise
decision—Confession—Whistler’s
thoughtlessness—Ettie’s grief,