judge of her and her ability by it? Carol said, 'I'd get Lark to write
it for me.'"

Even Prudence laughed a little at this, but she said, "Why don't you
scold her?"

"We talked it all over shortly after she entered school. Miss Adams
did not understand Carol at first, and thought she was a little
impertinent. But Professor Duke and I stood firm against even
mentioning it to her. She is perfectly good-natured about it. You
know, of course, Miss Starr, that we really try to make individuals of
our scholars. So many, many hundreds are turned out of the public
schools all cut on one pattern. We do not like it. We fight against
it. Carol is different from others by nature, and we're going to keep
her different if possible. If we crush her individuality, she will
come out just like thousands of others,--all one pattern! Miss Adams
is as fond of Carol now as any one of us. You understand that we could
not let impudence or impertinence pass unreproved, but Carol is never
guilty of that. She is always respectful and courteous. But she is
spontaneous and quick-witted, and we are glad of it. Do you know what
the scholars call Professor Duke?"

"Professor Duck," said Prudence humbly. "But they mean it for a
compliment. They really admire and like him very much. I hope he does
not know what they call him."

"He does! One day he was talking about the nobility system in England.
He explained the difference between dukes, and earls, and lords, etc.,
and told them who is to be addressed as Your Majesty, Your Highness,
Your Grace and so on. Then he said, 'Now, Carol, if I was the king's