Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/402

 to them, that the school was henceforth to be governed by rules, to which he would exact the most complete obedience; and then examining the boys as to their respective progress, he formed them into separate classes, making the girls meantime stand apart. The boys were then led out of the school, that they might make their entrance in proper order.—Those of the first class taking the lead, were directed how to clean their feet upon the scraper, and well bound wisps of straw, which served instead of matts. They next placed for themselves their forms and benches, opposite a double slip of wood fixed to the wall, marked No. 1, and stuck full of pegs, for their hats to hang on; the second and third classes marched in, each in their turn, and took their places in equal order. Mrs Mason, meanwhile, allotted to the girls their proper stations near her chair at the upper end of the school-room, where they were concealed from view by