Now, James!" "I-I-I was only just doing that," said Jimmie, sober enough now, and terrified at the results of his mischief.
"Doing what ?" said the master, repressing a smile at Jimmie's woebegone face.
"Just-just that!" and Jimmie touched gingerly with the point of his finger the bows of Betsy Dan's apron-strings.
"Oh, I see.

You were annoying Elizabeth while she was reading.

No wonder she found it difficult.

Now, do you think that was very nice ?" Jimmie twisted himself into a semicircle.
"N-o-o." "Come here, James!" Jimmie looked frightened, came round the class, and up to the master.
"Now, then," continued the master, facing Jimmie round in front of Betsy Dan, who was still using her apron upon her eyes, "tell Elizabeth you are sorry." Jimmie stood in an agony of silent awkwardness, curving himself in varying directions.
"Are you sorry ?" "Y-e-e-s." "Well, tell her so." Jimmie drew a long breath and braced himself for the ordeal.

He stood a moment or two, working his eyes up shyly from Betsy Dan's shoes to her face, caught her glancing at him from behind her apron, and began, "I-I-I'm (tchik! tchik) sor-ry," (tchik).