LESSONS were not very well learned that first day in school, but this is generally the case when the Fall term opens after the Summer vacation.
Just as were the Bobbsey twins, nearly all the other pupils were thinking of what good times they had had in the country, or at the seashore, and in consequence little attention was paid to reading, spelling, arithmetic and geography.
But Principal Tetlow and his teachers were prepared for this, and they were sure that, in another day or so, the boys and girls would settle down and do good owrk [sic].Many of the children were in new rooms and different classes, and this did not make them feel so much "at home" as before vacation.
Nan Bobbsey's first duty, after reporting to her new teacher, was to go to the kindergarten room, and ask the teacher there if Flossie and Freddie might sit together.
"You see," Nan explained, "this is really their first real school work.They attended a few times before, but did not stay long.""I see," spoke the pretty kindergarten instructor with a laugh, "and we must make it as pleasant for them this time as we can, so they will want to stay.Yes, my dear, Flossie and Freddie may sit together, and I'll look after them as much as I can.But, oh, there are such a lot of little tots!" and she looked about the room that seemed overflowing with small boys and girls.
Some were playing and talking, telling of their summer experiences.Others seemed frightened, and stood against the wall bashfully, little girls holding to the hands of their little brothers.
Nan looked for Freddie and Flossie.She saw her little sister trying to comfort a small girl who was almost ready to cry, while Freddie, like the manly little fellow he was, had taken charge of a small chap in whose eyes were two large tears, just ready to fall.It was his first day atschool.
"Oh, I am sure your little twin brother and sister will get along all right," said the kindergarten teacher, with a smile to Nan, as she saw what Flossie and Freddie were doing."They are too cute for anything - the little dears!""And they are very good," said Nan, "only of course they do - things - sometimes.""They wouldn't be real children if they didn't," answered the teacher.
This was during a recess that had come after the classes were first formed.On her way back to her room, to see if she could arrange to sit with Grace and Nellie at one of the new big desks, Nan saw her brother Bert.He looked a little worried, and Nan asked at once:
"What is the matter, Bert?Haven't you got a nice teacher?""Oh, yes, she's fine!" exclaimed Bert "There's nothing the matter at all.""Yes there is," insisted Nan."I can tell by your face.It's that Danny Rugg; I'm sure.Oh, Bert, is he bothering you again?" "Well, he said he was going to.""Then why don't you go straight and tell Mr.Tetlow? He'll make Danny behave.I'll go tell him myself!""Don't you are [sic], Nan!" cried Bert."All the fellows would call me 'sissy,' if I let you do that.Never mind, I can look out for my self.I'm not afraid of Danny.""Oh, Bert, I hope you don't get into fight.""I won't, Nan - if I can help it.At least I won't hit first, but if he hits me - "Bert looked as though he knew what he would do in that case."Oh dear!" cried Nan, "aren't you boys just awful!"However, she made up her mind that if Danny got too bad she would speak to the principal about him, whether her brother wanted her to or not.
"He won't know it," thought Nan.
She had no trouble in getting permission from her teacher for herself and her two friends to sit together, and soon they had moved their booksand other things to one of the long desks that had room for threepupils.
