as the inferior of anybody.  Glory Goldie could not have helped seeing her father from where she sat, yet she never gave him a glance.  It was as if he did not exist for her.  On the other hand, Glory Goldie’s gaze was fixed upon her teacher, who was then examining the older pupils, on the left side of the room.  They read from books, pointed out different countries and cities on the map, and did sums on the blackboard, and the teacher had no time to look at the little tots on the right.  So it would not have mattered very much if Glory Goldie had sent her father an occasional side-glance; but she never so much as turned her head toward him.

However, it was some little comfort to him that all the other children did likewise.  They, too, sat the whole time with their clear blue eyes fastened on their teacher.  The little imps made believe they understood him when he said something witty or clever; for then they would nudge each other and giggle.

No doubt it was a surprise to the parents to see how well the children conducted themselves throughout the examination.  But Sexton Blackie was a remarkable man.  He could make them do almost anything.

As for Jan of Ruffluck, he was beginning to feel embarrassed and troubled.  He no longer knew whether it was his own little girl who sat there or somebody else’s.  Of a sudden he left his place among the School Commissioners and moved nearer the door.

At last the teacher was done examining the older pupils.  Now came the turn of the little ones, those who had barely learnt their letters.  They had not acquired any vast store of learning, to be sure, but a few questions had to be put to them, also.  Besides, they were to give some account of the Story of the Creation.

First they were asked to tell who it was that created the world.  That they knew of course.  And then, unhappily, the teacher asked them if they knew of any other name for God.

Now all the little A-B-C-ers were stumped!  Their cheeks grew hot and the skin on their foreheads was drawn into puckers, but they could not for the life of them think out the answer to such a profound question.

Among the larger children, over on the right, there was a general waving of hands, and whispering and tittering; but the eight small beginners held their mouths shut tight and not a sound came from them.  Glory Goldie was as mum as the rest.

“There is a prayer which we repeat every day,” said the teacher.  “What do we call God there?”

Now Glory Goldie had it!  She knew the teacher wanted them to say they called God Father—­and raised her hand.

“What do we call God, Glory Goldie?” he asked.

Glory Goldie jumped to her feet, her cheeks aflame, her little yellow pigtail of a braid pointing straight out from her neck.

“We call him Jan,” she answered in a high, penetrating voice.

Immediately a laugh went up from all parts of the room.  The gentry, the School Board, parents and children all chuckled.  Even the schoolmaster appeared to be amused.