unprepared in her lesson.
What is it her duty to do?"

"To go;" "Not to go;" answered the scholars simultaneously.

"It would be her duty _not_ to go; but I suppose it will be very
difficult for me to convince you of it."

"The reason is this," I continued; "if the one case I have supposed,
were the _only_ one, which would be likely to occur, it would
undoubtedly be better for her to go; but if it is understood that, in
such cases, the rule may be dispensed with, there will be many others,
where it will be equally necessary to lay it aside. Scholars will differ
in regard to the degree of inconvenience, which they must submit to,
rather than break the rule. They will gradually do it on slighter and
slighter occasions, until at last the rule will be disregarded entirely.
We must, therefore, draw a _precise line_, and individuals must submit
to a little inconvenience, sometimes, to promote the general good."

At the close of the day, I requested all in the school to rise. While
they were standing, I called them to account in the following manner.

"Now it is very probable that some have, from inadvertence, or from
design, omitted to keep an account of the number of transgressions of
the rule, which they have committed during the day; others, perhaps, do
not wish to make a report of themselves. Now as this is a common and
voluntary effort, I wish to have none render assistance, who do not, of
their own accord, desire to do so; all those, therefore, who are not
able to make a report, from not having been correct in keeping it, and
all those who are unwilling to report themselves, may sit."

A very small number hesitatingly took their seats.

"I am afraid that all do not sit, who really wish not to report
themselves. Now I am honest in saying I wish you to do just as you
please. If a great majority of the school really wish to assist me in
accomplishing the object, why, of course, I am glad; still, I shall not
call upon any for such assistance, unless it is freely and voluntarily
rendered."

One or two more took their seats while these things were saying. Among
such, there would generally be some, who would refuse to have any thing
to do with the measure, just from a desire to thwart and impede the
plans of the teacher. If so, it is best to take no notice of them. If
the teacher can contrive to obtain a great majority upon his side, so as
to let them see that any opposition which they can raise, is of no
consequence