He did not dare to breathe a word about his new state of mind in his father’s presence.  And it was long before he gathered courage to voice it openly before his mother.  But he used all the arguments and evasions and tricks he could muster to escape what had become a dreaded ordeal.  It developed into a test of will and strength between Keith and his mother—­the first of its kind, and the forerunner of numerous others still more deep-reaching.  After a while the father discovered or learned what was going on, but, contrary to custom, that was not enough to settle the matter.  In this case, neither argument nor threats had any effect on Keith.  He avoided open conflict with his father for good and sufficient reason, and he did what could not be escaped, but he did it in a spirit of passionate rebellion that introduced a new element of division and strife the home.  Both parents seemed instinctively to interpret the boy’s changed attitude as a reflection on themselves, and they resented it keenly, but to no avail.  While pretending to insist on full obedience as before, they gave way in reality by making the servant girl do the errands in place of Keith.

“One of these days I suppose we shall not be good enough for you any longer,” said his mother bitterly one day while the contest was still on.

“Why, mamma,” cried Keith, disturbed by the emotional appeal back of her words, “what has that to do with my not wanting to be laughed at by other boys?”

“I almost wish I hadn’t persuaded your father to send you to the public school,” the mother rejoined.

X

The school year was drawing to its close again Dally’s tone grew less bantering.  On several occasions he delivered little impromptu sermons on the seriousness of life and the difficulties of living.  One afternoon about two weeks before commencement he told them to close their books.

“I want each one of you to tell me what you expect to become in life, or what kind of a career your parents have chosen for you.”

A stir of excitement swept over the class.

Then Dally went on to explain why he wished to know.  The first three grades were divided into A and B classes, but that had nothing to do with the teaching, which was the same in both classes.  The fourth and fifth grades, on the other hand, were divided into a “Latin” and an “English” branch, with quite different curricula.  Boys headed for the various professions ought to choose the former branch, while the second one led to more practical pursuits.

“You are going to be an officer, I understand.”  Dally said, turning to primus.

“Yes, sir,” the young Jew answered with a self-importance that even Keith could not miss.  “My father wants me to try for the General Staff, and so I have to specialize on mathematics.”

“Humph,” was Dally’s only audible comment as he made a note, but he looked as if he had tasted something unpleasant.