He drew back rather too far and began falling off the end of the steps.

He clutched at the door and made such a scrambling noise that the children turned in their seats just in time to see his body rapidly disappearing in a manner to leave his feet where his head ought to be.
Such a yell of laughter as went up from the throats of the children! It had in it a universal, spontaneous ring of savage delight which plainly told that the teacher was not beloved by his pupils.
The back of the teacher's head struck the edge of a stone, and when he clambered up from his rather undignified position his back was covered with blood.

Deep silence reigned in the school-room as he walked down the aisle, glaring fiercely right and left.

Getting his hat he left the school-room and went to a near-by drug store to have his wounds dressed.
While he was gone, the children took charge of the school-room and played pranks of every description.

Abe Lincoln took the teacher's chair and played "'fessor." "Sallie Ann ain't yer got wax in yer mouf ?" "Yes sar." "Den take dis stick and prop yer mouf opun fur half hour.