“Sometimes we have discussions of moral points.  We take turns about conducting them, and try to stimulate their interest in such things.  We want to make them think, every one for himself.  One day Professor Duke said, ’Suppose a boy in this town has a grudge against you,—­unjust and unfair.  You have tried one thing after another to change his attitude.  But he continues to annoy and inconvenience and even hurt you, on every occasion.  Remember that you have tried every ordinary way of winning his good will.  Now what are you going to do as a last resort?’ Carol said, ‘I’ll tell papa on him.’” Miss Allen laughed again, heartily.  “It does have a disturbing effect on the class, I admit, and often spoils a good point, but Professor Duke calls on Carol every time he sees her eyes twinkle!  He does it on purpose.  And Miss Adams is nearly as bad as he.  One day she said, ’Suppose you have unintentionally done something to greatly irritate and inconvenience a prominent man in town.  He knows you did it, and he is very angry.  He is a man of sharp temper and disagreeable manners.  You know that he will be extremely unpleasant and insulting if you go to him with explanations and apologies.  What are you going to do?’ ’I think I’ll just keep out of his way for a few weeks,’ said Carol soberly.”

“I hope she doesn’t talk like that to you, Miss Allen.”

Instantly Miss Allen was grave.  “No, she does not, I am so sorry.”  Leaning forward suddenly, she said, “Miss Starr, why do the twins dislike me?”

“Dislike you!” echoed Prudence.  “Why, they do not dislike you!  What in the world makes you think——­”

“Oh, yes indeed they do,—­both of them.  Now, why?  People generally like me.  I have always been popular with my students.  This is my second year here.  Last year the whole high school stood by me as one man.  This year, the freshmen started as usual.  After one week, the twins changed.  I knew it instantly.  Then other freshmen changed.  Now the whole class comes as near snubbing me as they dare.  Do you mean to say they have never told you about it?”

“Indeed they have not.  And I am sure you are mistaken.  They do like you.  They like everybody.”

“Christian tolerance, perhaps,” smiled Miss Allen ruefully.  “But I want them to like me personally and intimately.  I can help the twins.  I can do them good, I know I can.  But they won’t let me.  They keep me at arm’s length.  They are both dear, and I love them.  But they freeze me to death!  Why?”

“I can’t believe it!”

“But it is true.  Don’t they talk of their professors at home at all?”

“Oh, often.”

“What do they say of us?”

“Why, they say Miss Adams is a perfectly sweet old lamb,—­they do not mean to be disrespectful.  And they say Professor Duke is the dearest duck!  They almost swear by ’Professor Duck’!”

“And what do they say of me?”