When Anne returned to the school after dinner all the children were as usual in their seats and every face was bent studiously over a desk except Anthony Pye 's . He peered across his book at Anne , his black eyes sparkling with curiosity and mockery . Anne twitched open the drawer of her desk in search of chalk and under her very hand a lively mouse sprang out of the drawer , scampered over the desk , and leaped to the floor . Anne screamed and sprang back , as if it had been a snake , and Anthony Pye laughed aloud . Then a silence fell ... a very creepy , uncomfortable silence . Annetta Bell was of two minds whether to go into hysterics again or not , especially as she did n't know just where the mouse had gone . But she decided not to . Who could take any comfort out of hysterics with a teacher so white-faced and so blazing-eyed standing before one ? `` Who put that mouse in my desk ? '' said Anne . Her voice was quite low but it made a shiver go up and down Paul Irving 's spine . Joe Sloane caught her eye , felt responsible from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet , but stuttered out wildly , `` N ... n ... not m ... m ... me t ... t ... teacher , n ... n ... not m ... m ... me . '' Anne paid no attention to the wretched Joseph . She looked at Anthony Pye , and Anthony Pye looked back unabashed and unashamed . `` Anthony , was it you ? '' `` Yes , it was , '' said Anthony insolently . Anne took her pointer from her desk . It was a long , heavy hardwood pointer . `` Come here , Anthony . '' It was far from being the most severe punishment Anthony Pye had ever undergone .
Anne , even the stormy-souled Anne she was XXXXX that moment , could not have punished any child cruelly .
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