On this morning that I speak of, Ralph had walked toward the school early to avoid the company of Mirandy.

But not caring to sustain his dignity longer than was necessary, he loitered along the road, admiring the trunks of the maples, and picking up a beech-nut now and then.

Just as he was about to go on toward the school, he caught sight of little Shocky running swiftly toward him, but looking from side to side, as if afraid of being seen.
[Illustration: BETSY SHORT] "Well, Shocky, what is it ?" and Ralph put his hand kindly on the great bushy head of white hair from which came Shocky's nickname.

Shocky had to pant a minute.
"Why, Mr.Hartsook," he gasped, scratching his head, "they's a pond down under the school-house," and here Shocky's breath gave out entirely for a minute.
"Yes, Shocky, I know that.

What about it?
The trustees haven't come to fill it up, have they ?" "Oh! no, sir; but Hank Banta, you know--" and Shocky took another breathing spell, standing as dose to Ralph as he could, for poor Shocky got all his sunshine from the master's presence.
"Has Henry fallen in and got a ducking, Shocky ?" "Oh! no, sir; he wants to git you in, you see." "Well, I won't go in, though, Shocky." "But, you see, he's been and gone and pulled back the board that you have to step on to git ahind your desk; he's been and gone and pulled back the board so as you can't help a-tippin' it up, and a-sowsin' right in ef you step there." "And so you came to tell me." There was a huskiness in Ralph's voice.
He had, then, one friend in Flat Creek district--poor little Shocky.