that paper."

Harper, a little freshmen, who had merely meant to slip the paper
inside his desk, and who was not making a disturbing noise thereby,
flushed pink and sat immobile, the paper swinging from one hand.

From the principal's attitude and his look of seriousness, something
unusual was pending. Some of the girls permitted their apprehension
to be seen. On the faces of several of the boys rested a look
of half defiance, for this principal was unpopular, and, by the
students, was considered unjust.

"It being now in the early part of December," went on Mr. Cantwell,
"we shall, on Monday, begin rehearsing the music for the special
exercises to be held in this school on the day before Christmas.
To that end, each of you found, on returning from recess, the
new Christmas music on your desk."

Mr. Cantwell paused an instant for this important information
to sink in. Several slight, little sighs of relief escaped the
students, especially from the girls' side of the great room.
This speech did not presage anything very dreadful to come.

"This sheet music," continued Mr. Cantwell, "is to be sold to
the pupils at cost to the Board of Education. This cost price
is fifteen cents."

Again Mr. Cantwell paused. It was a trick of his, a personal
peculiarity. Then be permitted himself a slight smile as he added: