James said it would be more agreeable.

“Well, the fault is being disorderly at prayer-time.  Now, if you like frank and open dealing, and are willing to deal so with me, I should like to talk with you a little about it, but if you are not willing, I will dismiss the subject.  I do not wish to talk with you now about it unless you yourself desire it; but if we talk at all, we must both be open, and honest, and sincere.  Now, should you rather have me talk with you or not?”

“Yes, sir, I should rather have you talk with me now than in school.”

The teacher then described his conduct in a mild manner, using the style of simple narration, admitting no harsh epithets, no terms of reproach.  The boy was surprised, for he supposed that he had not been noticed.  He thought, perhaps, that he should have been punished if he had been observed.  The teacher said, in conclusion,

“Now, James, I do not suppose you have done this from any designed irreverence toward God, or deliberate intention of giving me trouble and pain.  You have several times lately assisted me in various ways, and I know, from the cheerful manner with which you comply with my wishes, that your prevailing desire is to give me pleasure, not pain.  You have fallen into this practice through thoughtlessness, but that does not alter the character of the sin.  To do so is a great sin against God, and a great offense against good order in school.  You see, yourself, that my duty to the school will require me to adopt the most decided measures to prevent the continuance and the spread of such a practice.  I should be imperiously bound to do it, even if the individual was the very best friend I had in school, and if the measures necessary should bring upon him great disgrace and suffering.  Do you not think it would be so?”

“Yes, sir,” said James, seriously, “I suppose it would.”

“I wish to remove the evil, however, in the pleasantest way.  Do you remember my speaking on this subject in school the other day?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Well, my object in what I said then was almost entirely to persuade you to reform without having to speak to you directly.  I thought it would be pleasanter to you to be reminded of your duty in that way.  But I do not think it did you much good.  Did it?”

“I don’t think I have played so much since then.”

“Nor I. You have improved a little, but you have not decidedly and thoroughly reformed.  So I was obliged to take the next step which would be least unpleasant to you, that is, talking with you alone.  Now you told me when we began that you would deal honestly and sincerely with me, if I would with you.  I have been honest and open.  I have told you all about it so far as I am concerned.  Now I wish you to be honest, and tell me what you are going to do.  If you think, from this conversation, that you have done wrong, and if you are fully determined to do so no more, and to break off at once, and forever,