his neck, and quietly dropped him outside the door he had
entered by. Not a word was uttered, not an _Oh!_ not an _Ah!_ The
performance, if I remember rightly, terminated somewhat comically. The
boy had on a paper-collar, which remained as a trophy in the master's
hands.

It was, as you see, a case of eviction _vi et armis_, by the force
of arms.

XII.

OLD PUPILS.--ACQUAINTANCES RENEWED.--LIVELY RECOLLECTIONS REVIVED.
--IT IS EASIER TO TEACH FRENCH THAN TO LEARN IT.--TESTIMONIAL REFUSED
TO A FRENCH MASTER.--"HOW DE DO?"--"THAT'S WHAT-D'YE-CALL-HIM, THE
FRENCH MASTER."

I like meeting old pupils, especially those who, I am vain enough to
think, owe to me a little part of their success in life.

Others have greatly improved since they left school. I used to consider
them hopelessly stupid, and now I see them able to speak on general
topics with a great amount of common sense. Though they were not fit
for school, they are fit for the world. They have good manners and are
gentlemen.

Some you cannot recognize with their "chimney-pots"; some will take no
notice of you.

Some will come and shake hands with you, and make a tardy
acknowledgment of the debt they owe you; some will express their regret
that they do not owe you more.

Some will approach you diffidently, and with a grin:

"How do you do, sir? Don't you know me? I am So-and-So."

"To be sure I do."

"Don't you remember I once threw a paper ball in the room, and it fell
on your desk by accident?"

"To be sure. And don't you remember what you got for it?"

"Indeed I do. But that was an accident, you know, sir."

"I dare say it was. And how are you getting on?"

"Pretty well. I am in a bank."

"Adding pounds, shillings, and pence?"

"Yes--rather slow sport."

"Slow, yes, when the pounds, shillings, and pence don't belong to you."

"You are right, sir."

"Well, you might, perhaps, have done better for yourself; you were an
able boy."

"I don't know about that, but I often regret I did not avail myself of
the advantages that were offered to me."

A repentant boy is always a sad sight, and one to be shunned. You
comfort him, wish him success, and shake hands.

* * * * *

The interest you have taken in boys at school is put to a severe test
when you receive a letter like the following:

"DEAR SIR:

"I have decided on doing a little teaching while my father is
trying to obtai