Chapter III and IV Summary

In Chapter III, Agnes struggles with getting Mary Ann dressed and her hair fixed. Once in the schoolroom, she finds both her students uncooperative with the learning process. They want to boss her around, forcing her to go with them and do whatever they wish. Although Agnes tries to distract the children while outside one day, they will not leave a well in which they are playing. Mr. Bloomfield sees them and scolds Agnes for allowing them to play in the water. At lunch, Agnes' opinion of Mr. Bloomfield does not improve as he criticizes the food, and then criticizes his wife.

At the end of the first day, Agnes feels disillusioned. She is unable to punish the children for bad behavior and has no way to reward them for good behavior. The children show her plainly...