Page 4 - An Australian Lassie

Elizabeth jerked her head, "Mrs. Sharman," she said.

"Sit down and fold your hands behind you," ordered the master. He turned to the new boy. "John Brown," he
said, "go and take your seat next to Elizabeth Bruce--but one above her."

The new boy moved across the room, red-faced and clumsy in every movement. When he found himself in
front of the class he grew still redder, and hung hesitatingly upon the step that led to the platform upon which
the form was placed.

Elizabeth looked at him disdainfully and drew her dress close around her.

"Sit down, you silly," she said in a sharp whisper, and indicated with a little head toss the seat above her.

John Brown slunk past her and dropped heavily into his seat. The master retired to his desk and made an entry
or two in his long blue book while silence hung over the schoolroom.

Tn Elizabeth's heart a flame of anger was spreading. That this boy, this new boy, should be placed above her,
was in her eyes the greatest injustice. A small voice within told her that she had been punished sufficiently
yesterday afternoon.

Her head moved slightly in the direction of the new boy and her rosy lips opened.

"You cheat!" she whispered.

The boy sat motionless and the anger burned hotter in Elizabeth's heart.

"Cheaty, cheaty; go home and tell your mother!" she said in a sing-song way.

Still Brown did not move.

Elizabeth slid her hand along the seat and gave him a sharp pinch, and he started uneasily.

"Stand up the boy or girl who was speaking," ordered the master, without looking up.

A small fair-haired fair-complexioned boy, two seats above Elizabeth, flushed. His name was Cyril Bruce and
he was Elizabeth's twin brother--twelve years old.

"T was only talking to myself--that's not speaking," he murmured.

Elizabeth rose slowly to her feet and stood working a corner of her pinafore into a knot. The master looked
around, and his brow grew dark when he saw the small offender.

"Repeat aloud what you said, Elizabeth Bruce," he ordered.

The little girl grew white, then red, then white again, and went on twisting her pinafore.

"Do you hear me?" shouted the master. "Stand upon the form and repeat your words."

Once again Elizabeth clambered into a higher position.

"T said--T said, 'Cheaty, cheaty; go home and tell your mother,'" she said in a clear voice that sounded all over
the room.