Waymark alone feared neither Mrs. Tootle nor her hopeful son, and,
in turn, was held in some little awe by both of them. The lady had
at first tried the effect of interfering in his classes, as she did
in those of the other masters, but the result was not encouraging.

"Don't you think, Mr. Waymark," she had said one day, as she walked
through the school-room and paused to listen to our friend's
explanation of some rule in English grammar; "don't you think it
would be better to confine yourself to the terms of the doctor's
little compendium? The boys are used to it."

"In this case," replied Waymark calmly, "I think the terms of the
compendium are rather too technical for the fourth class."

"Still, it is customary in this school to use the compendium, and it
has never yet been found unsatisfactory. Whilst you are discoursing
at such length, I observe your class gets very disorderly."

Waymark looked at her, but kept silence. Mrs. Tootle stood still.

"What are you waiting for, Mr. Waymark?" she asked sharply.

"Till your presence has ceased to distract the boys' attention, Mrs.
Tootle," was the straightforward reply.

The woman was disconcerted, and, as Waymark preserved his calm
silence, she had no alternative but to withdraw, after giving him a
look not easily forgotten.