different from what one would naturally expect. Not ordinary, not
commonplace; I hardly know how to express it. Really, you are quite
poetic."

He saw her face fall. "I am sorry about that," she faltered. "I have
been told the same thing before, and I don't like to be that way. I am
afraid I read too much poetry. It fairly sings in my head when I feel
deeply, as I do about Tobe and Annie, for instance, or when I have to
make a speech."

"Make a speech? You?" Mostyn stared.

"Oh yes, these people expect all that sort of thing from a teacher,
and it was very hard for me to do at first, but I don't mind it now.
One is obliged to open school with prayer, too, and it mustn't be
worded the same way each time or the mischievous children will learn
it by heart and quote it. The most of my speeches are made in our
debating society."

"Oh, I see; you have a debating society!" Mostyn exclaimed.

"Yes, and as it happens I am the only woman member," Dolly proceeded
to enlighten him. "The men teachers in the valley got it up to meet at
my school twice a month, and the patrons took a big interest in it and
began to make insinuations that my school ought to be represented.
They talked so much about it that I was afraid some man would get my
job, so one day when Warren Wilks, the teacher in Ridgeville, asked me
to join I did."

"How strange!" Mostyn said, admiringly, "and you really do take part."