of the times, and wanted him to go in for phonetics and other
innovations. The old soldier generally regarded such things with
mild tolerance. Once, however, he lost his temper.

"Just because you've got a schoolhouse you think you know it all,
Blackie!" he let fly. "But I'll have you understand that my
children know quite as much us yours, even if they do have only
farmhouses to sit in."

"Yes, I know," returned the sexton, "and have never said anything
to the contrary. I simply mean that if the children could learn a
thing with less effort--"

"Well, what then?" bristled the old soldier.

The sexton knew from the old man's tone that he had offended him,
and tried to smooth over the breach.

"Anyhow you make it so easy for your pupils that they never
complain about their lessons."

"Maybe I make it too easy for them?" snapped the old man. "Maybe I
don't teach them anything?" he shouted, striking the table with his
hand.

"What on earth has come over you, Tyberg?" said the sexton. "You
seem to resent everything I say."

"Well, you always come at me with so many allusions!"