ll-behaved girls were older than Janice by many months; and they
plainly did not come to school to study or to learn. They passed notes
back and forth to some of the older boys all day long; when Miss
Scattergood called on them to recite, if they did not feel just like
it, they refused to obey; and of course their example was bad for the
smaller children.

Janice had determined to join such classes as were anywhere near her
grade in her old school. But when she arose to accompany one class to
the line in front of the teacher's desk, the girls who had started
giggled and ran back to their seats, leaving the new pupil standing
alone, with blazing cheeks, before Miss Scattergood. They would not
recite with her. At recess when Miss Scattergood tried to introduce
Janice to some of the girls, there were but a few who met her in a
ladylike manner.

They seemed to think Janice must be stuck up and proud because she had
come from another town. One girl--Sally Black--tripped forward in a
most affected style, gave Janice a "high handshake," saying "How-do!
chawmed ter meet yuh, doncher know!" and the other girls went off into
gales of laughter as though Sally was really excruciatingly funny.

Janice was hurt, but she tried not to show it. Miss Scattergood was
very much annoyed, and her eyes sparkled behind her glasses, as she
said, sharply:

"I really did hope you girls could be polite and kind to a stranger who
comes to your school. I am ashamed of you!"

"Don't let it bother you, Scatty," returned the impudent Sally. "We
don't want anything to do with your pet," and she tossed her head,
looked scornfully at Janice, and walked away with her abettors.

"I never did take ter them Blacks," declared Aunt Almira, when Janice
related to her the unpleasant experience she had suffered at school, on
her return that afternoon. "And Sally's mother, who was a Garrity,
came of right common stock.

"Ye see, child," added Mrs. Day, with a sigh, "I expect ye won't find
many of the children that go ter that school much ter your likin'.
'Rill Scattergood ain't got no way with her, as I sez before; an' folks
that can afford it have got in the habit o' sendin' their young'uns
over to Middletown School. Walky Dexter takes 'em in a party waggin,
and brings 'em back at night."

"But there must be some nice girls in Poketown!" cried Janice.

"Ya-as--I guess there be. But wait till I kin git around an' interduce
ye to 'em."

This