Although Winny had no idea of what the boys were intending to do, he
was. at the schoolhouse quite as early as anyone, in order to see all
that might take place, as well as to make his peace with the boys, if
possible. Si refused positively to have anything to do with the "ten-
center," as he called Winny, and the others gave him the " cold
shoulder," acting very much as if they blamed him because they had
refused to go to the necktie party.

When the girls entered the schoolroom in a body, the boys were gathered
in the back seats, strictly following Si's commands to "act as if
nothin' was up."

It was not many moments before Aggie and her friends understood that
the boys had decided against the party; therefore, when, just before
school was opened, the letter was found, it caused but little surprise.
Indignation was the feeling that predominated, and had Deacon
Littlefield not rapped loudly on his desk, as a signal that it was time
for school to open, it is probable that Master Si would have heard from
more than one of the "ten-centers" the exact opinion they all had
regarding him.

The good old deacon knew that some great and barely suppressed
excitement among the
pupils was the cause of the inattentiveness, even on the part of those
who were usually the most studious, and he acted as if his life was
particularly a burden to him during the hour and a half that elapsed
before recess. He had reproved nearly every pupil before half-past ten,
and then he said, in his most severe tones: