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 The New Teacher

The school in Pine Clearing was new and fine. The people (be)¹ proud of it, as well as of the schoolmistress, a young widow, who was clever and had a good educa­tion.

One day when she (leave)² the school the chairman of the school board (come)³ up to her, "Mrs Martin, we (like)⁴ you (have)⁵ an assistant as the school (get)⁶ too large for one little woman. I (go)⁷ (meet)⁸ him now." At that moment a coach (stop)⁹ at the gate and they (see)¹⁰ a young man (jump)¹¹ out of it. He (look)¹² strong and active. His eyes (be)¹³ blue, his hair (be)¹⁴ short; but his face (have)¹⁵ no expression, it was like a mask. He (introduce)¹⁶ to everybody as Charles Twing, the new assistant. The Chairman (think)¹⁷ that he never (see)¹⁸ such an expressionless face before; he was sure that as soon as Mrs Mar­tin (look)¹⁹ at him she (send)²⁰ him away. Mrs Martin asked Mr Twing if he (be)²¹ at college, and if he ever (teach)²² at a school. It turned out that he never (do)²³ such things. The schoolmis­tress (not say)²⁴ anything to this. She said she (expect)²⁵ him (come)²⁶ to the school early the next day.

The next morning when Mrs Martin came to the school the new assistant (not come)²⁷ yet. But soon he appeared with a crowd of children. They (laugh)²⁸ and (look)²⁹ very happy. Mrs Martin (get)³⁰ angry, but Mr Twing promised that he (listen)³¹ and (learn)³² very quickly.

A month passed. All (go)³³ well in the school. Mrs Martin (begin)³⁴ (like)³⁵ her new assistant and they (become)³⁶ good friends. She never (ask)³⁷ him what he (do)³⁸ before he (be­come)³⁹ a teacher.

One day a piano (bring)⁴⁰ to the school as the children (be going)⁴¹ (give)⁴² a concert. Mrs Martin wanted Mr Twing (do)⁴³ something too and he (decide)⁴⁴ (recite)⁴⁵ a poem. While he (do)⁴⁶ it at the concert a voice from the audience shouted, "Bravo, Johnny Walker!" Mr Twing's face (become)⁴⁷ white and he (go)⁴⁸ "away quickly. After the concert Mrs Martin (find)⁴⁹ Mr Twing in a little room. He (tell)⁵⁰ her that he (be)⁵¹ a clown before he (come)⁵² to the school.