While he was doing this Billy Smith stealthily crept to the teacher's chair and placed a crooked pin in it in order to catch Abe when he returned to sit down.
Before Abe had gone much further the teacher's face appeared at the door, and all scrambled to get into their right places and to assume studious attitudes.

Billy Smith thought of his crooked pin and had the "cold sweats." Those who had seen Billy put the pin in the chair were torn between two conflicting emotions.

They wanted the pin to do its work, and therefore hoped.

They feared Billy's detection and therefore despaired.
However, the teacher did not proceed at once to take his seat.

He approached Mrs.Piedmont and Belton, who had taken seats midway the room and were interested spectators of all that had been going on.
Speaking to Mrs.Piedmont, he said: "What is your name ?" She replied: "Hannah Lizabeth Piedmont." "Well, Hannah, what is your brat's name ?" "His name am Belton Piedmont, arter his grandaddy." "Well, Hannah, I am very pleased to receive your brat.