Fall term opens after the Summer
vacation.
Just as were the Bobbsey twins, nearly all the other pupils were
thinking of what good times they had had in the country, or at the
seashore, and in consequence little attention was paid to reading,
spelling, arithmetic and geography.
But Principal Tetlow and his teachers were prepared for this, and they
were sure that, in another day or so, the boys and girls would settle
down and do good work. Many of the children were in new rooms and
different classes, and this did not make them feel so much "at home" as
before vacation.
Nan Bobbsey's first duty, after reporting to her new teacher, was to go
to the kindergarten room, and ask the teacher there if Flossie and
Freddie might sit together.
"You see," Nan explained, "this is really their first real school work.
They attended a few times before, but did not stay long."
"I see," spoke the pretty kindergarten instructor with a laugh, "and we
must make it as pleasant for them this time as we can, so they will
want to stay. Yes, my dear, Flossie and Freddie may sit together, and
I'll look after them as much as I can. But, oh, there are such a lot
of little tots!" and she looked about the room that seemed overflowing
with small boys and girls.
Some were playing and talking, telling of their summer experiences.
Others seemed frightened, and stood against the wall bashfully, little
girls holding to the hands of their little brothers.
Nan looked for Freddie and Flossie. She saw her little sister trying
to comfort a small girl who was almost ready to cry, while Freddie,
like the manly little fellow he was, had taken charge of a small chap
in whose eyes were two large tears, just ready to fall. It was his
first day at school.
"Oh, I am sure your little twin brother and sister will get along all
right," said the kindergarten teacher, with a smile to Nan, as she saw
what Flossie and Freddie were doing. "They are too cute for
anything--the little dears!"
"And they are very good," said Nan, "only of course they
do--things--sometimes."
"They wouldn't be real children if they didn't," answered the teacher.
This was during a recess that had come after the classes were first
formed. On her way back to her room, to see if she could arrange to
sit with Grace and Nellie at one of the new big desks, Nan saw her
brother Bert. He looked a little worried, and Nan asked at once:
"What is the matter, Bert? Haven't you go
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