, and is not even noticed, they will soon be ashamed of it.

The reports then of those who remained standing, were called for; first,
those who had whispered only once were requested to sit; then those who
had whispered more than once, and less than five times, &c. &c., until
at last all were down. In such a case, the pupils might, if thought
expedient, again be requested to rise, for the purpose of asking some
other questions, with reference to ascertaining whether they had spoken
most in the former or latter part of the forenoon. The number who had
spoken inadvertently, and the number who had done it by design, might be
ascertained. These inquiries accustom the pupils to render honest and
faithful accounts of themselves. They become, by such means,
familiarized to the practice, and by means of it, the teacher can, many
times, receive most important assistance.

All however, should be done in a pleasant tone, and with a pleasant and
cheerful air. It should be considered by the pupils, not a reluctant
confession of guilt, for which they are to be rebuked or punished, but
the voluntary and free report of the result of an _experiment_, in which
all are interested.

Some will have been dishonest in their reports: to diminish the number
of these, the teacher may say, after the report is concluded:

"We will drop the subject here to-day. To-morrow we will make another
effort, when we shall be more successful. I have taken your reports as
you have offered them, without any inquiry, because I had no doubt, that
a great majority of this school would be honest, at all hazards. They
would not, I am confident, make a false report, even if, by a true one,
they were to bring upon themselves punishment; so that I think I may
have confidence that nearly all these reports have been faithful. Still,
it is very probable, that, among so large a number, some may have made a
report, which, they are now aware, was not perfectly fair and honest. I
do not wish to know who they are; if there are any such cases, I only
wish to say to the rest, how much pleasanter it is for you that you have
been honest and open. The business is now all ended; you have done your
duty; and though you reported a little larger number than you would, if
you had been disposed to conceal, yet you go away from school with a
quiet conscience. On the other hand, how miserable must any boy feel, if
he has any nobleness of mind whatever, to go away from school, to-day,
t