her。 She felt something all the time wearing upon her； wearing
her down。 She went about in these first weeks trying to deny it；
to say she was free as ever。 She tried not to feel at a
disadvantage before Miss Harby； tried to keep up the effect of
her own superiority。 But a great weight was on her； which Violet
Harby could bear； and she herself could not。
Though she did not give in； she never succeeded。 Her class
was getting in worse condition； she knew herself less and less
secure in teaching it。 Ought she to withdraw and go home again？
Ought she to say she had e to the wrong place； and so retire？
Her very life was at test。
She went on doggedly； blindly； waiting for a crisis。 Mr。
Harby had now begun to persecute her。 Her dread and hatred of
him grew and loomed larger and larger。 She was afraid he was
going to bully her and destroy her。 He began to persecute her
because she could not keep her class in proper condition；
because her class was the weak link in the chain which made up
the school。
One of the offences was that her class was noisy and
disturbed Mr。 Harby； as he took Standard Seven at the other end
of the room。 She was taking position on a certain morning；
walking in among the scholars。 Some of the boys had dirty ears
and necks； their clothing smelled unpleasantly； but she could
ignore it。 She corrected th