`` Now the school is open , and I shall hear you read , so that I may know in which class to put you , Miss Moore , '' began Rose with great dignity , as she laid a book before her scholar , and sat down in the easy chair with a long rule in her hand . Phebe did pretty well , only tripping now and then over a hard word , and pronouncing identical `` identickle , '' in a sober way that tickled Rose , though never a smile betrayed her . The spelling lesson which followed was rather discouraging ; Phebe 's ideas of geography were very vague , and grammar was nowhere , though the pupil protested that she tried so hard to `` talk nice like educated folks '' that Dolly called her `` a stuck-up piece who did n't know her place . '' `` Dolly 's an old goose , so do n't you mind her , for she will say ` nater , ' ` vittles , ' and ` doos ' as long as she lives , and insist that they are right . You do talk very nicely , Phebe , I 've observed it , and grammar will help you , and show you some things are right and others ai n't are not , I mean , '' added Rose , correcting herself , and feeling that she must mind her own parts of speech if she was to serve as an example for Phebe . When the arithmetic came , the little teacher was surprised to find her scholar quicker in some things than herself , for Phebe had worked away at the columns in the butcher 's and baker 's books till she could add so quickly and correctly that Rose was amazed , and felt that in this branch the pupil would soon excel the teacher if she kept on at the same pace . Her praise cheered Phebe immensely , and they went bravely on , both getting so interested that time flew unheeded till Aunt Plenty appeared , exclaiming , as she stared at the two heads bent over one slate , `` Bless my heart , what is going on now ? '' `` School , aunty . I 'm teaching Phebe , and it 's great fun ! '' cried Rose , looking up with a bright face . But Phebe 's was brighter , though she added with a wistful look , `` Maybe I ought to have asked leave first ; only when Miss Rose proposed this , I was so happy I forgot to . Shall I stop , ma'am ? '' `` Of course not , child ; I 'm glad to see you fond of your book , and to find Rose helping you along . My blessed mother used to sit at work with her maids about her , teaching them many a useful thing in the good old fashion that 's gone by now . Only do n't neglect your work , dear , or let the books interfere with the duties . '' As Aunt Plenty spoke , with her kind old face beaming approvingly upon the girls , Phebe glanced at the clock , saw that it pointed to five , knew that Dolly would soon be down , expecting to find preparations for supper under way , and , hastily dropping her pencil , she jumped up , saying , `` Please , can I go ? I 'll clear up after I 've done my chores . '' `` School is dismissed , '' answered Rose , and with a grateful `` Thank you , heaps and heaps ! '' Phebe ran away singing the multiplication table as she set the tea ditto . That was the way it began , and for a week the class of one went on with great pleasure and profit to all concerned ; for the pupil proved a bright one , and came to her lessons as to a feast , while the young teacher did her best to be worthy the high opinion held of her , for Phebe firmly believed that Miss Rose knew everything in the way of learning .
Of course the lads found out what was going on , and chaffed the girls about the `` Seminary , '' as they called the new enterprise ; but they thought it a good thing on the whole , kindly offered to give lessons in Greek and Latin gratis , and decided among themselves that `` XXXXX was a little trump to give the Phebe-bird such a capital boost . ''
Moore Phebe Rose ditto doos first identickle nater right vittles