Every morning he would be off from the old Squire's at eight o'clock, to see that the schoolhouse was well warmed and ready to begin lessons at nine; and if there had been any neglect in sweeping or dusting, he would do it himself, and have every desk and bench clean and tidy before school time.
What was more, Master Pierson possessed the rare faculty of communicating his own zeal for learning to his pupils.

We became so interested, as weeks passed, that of our own accord we brought our school books home with us at night, in order to study evenings; and we asked for longer lessons that we might progress faster.
My cousin Halstead was one of those boys (and their name is Legion) who dislike study and complain of their lessons that they are too long and too hard.

But strange to say, Master Joel Pierson somehow led Halse to really like geography that winter.

Those large wall maps in color were of great assistance to us all.

In class we took turns going to them with a long pointer, to recite the lesson of the day.