As the boy opens his desk, the teacher observes that it is in complete disorder.

Books, maps, papers, play-things, are there in promiscuous confusion, and, from the impulse of the moment, the displeased teacher pours out upon the poor boy a torrent of reproach.
"What a looking desk! Why, John, I am really ashamed of you! Look!" continues he, holding up the lid, so that the boys in the neighborhood can look in; "see what a mass of disorder and confusion.

If ever I see your desk in such a state again, I shall most certainly punish you." The boys around laugh, very equivocally, however, for, with the feeling of amusement, there is mingled the fear that the angry master may take it into his head to inspect their domains.

The boy accidentally exposed looks sullen, and begins to throw his books into some sort of arrangement, just enough to shield himself from the charge of absolutely disobeying the injunction that he has received, and there the matter ends.
Another teacher takes no apparent notice of the confusion which he thus accidentally witnesses.

"I must take up," thinks he to himself, "the subject of order before the whole school.