He realized that, as you may lead a horse to the water but you can't make him drink, so you may lead a boy to school but you can't make him study.
Most of Bill's own school hours had been spent in hunting, as he didn't care for fishing.

Thus, if Bill lectured Whitey, the boy could throw Bill's own ignorance of book-learning in his face.
The more Bill thought over this matter the more undecided he became, and finally he saddled his horse and rode down to the Junction, and resorted to what was, for him, a very unusual action.

So later in the day Mr.
Sherwood received the following telegram, in his New York office: Whitey wont learn nothin.

Ketches pickrul.

What will I do?
William Jordan You will notice that this message took exactly ten words--which was evidence of more thinking on Bill's part.
Bill waited patiently at the Junction, and late that night received the following answer: Put the boy at such a hard job that he will be glad to resume his studies.
Sherwood.