dared not whisper again. Miss Tabitha, moreover, looked as though she
had heard what she said, although that did not seem possible.

However, Miss Tabitha's ears had a reputation among the scholars for
almost as fabulous powers as her eyes. Matilda Stebbins was quite
sure that she heard, and Miss Tabitha's after-course confirmed her
opinion.

The reading-class was out on the floor fixing its toes on the line,
and Miss Tabitha walked behind it straight to Comfort.

"Comfort Pease," said she, "I don't believe your mother ever sent you
to school wearing a ring after that fashion. You may take it off."

Comfort took it off. The eyes of the whole school watched her; even
the reading-class looked over its shoulders.

"Now," said Miss Tabitha, "put it in your pocket."

Comfort put the ring in her pocket. Her face was flushing redder and
redder, and the tears rolled down her cheeks.

Miss Tabitha drew out a large pin, which was quilted into the bosom
of her dress, and proceeded to pin up Comfort's pocket. "There," said
she, "now you leave that ring in there, and don't you touch it till
you go home; then you give it right to your mother. And don't you
take that pin out; if you do I shall whip you."

Miss Tabitha turned suddenly on the reading-class, and the faces went
about with a jerk. "Turn to the fifty-sixth page," she commanded; and