Miss Black mounted her desk, and surveyed the school-room.

"Miss Charlotte Alden, the desk next you is vacant; Miss C.Morgeson, the new pupil, may take it." Miss Charlotte answered, "Yes mim," and ostentatiously swept away an accumulation of pencils, sponges, papers, and books, to make room for me.

I took the seat, previously stumbling against her, whereat all the girls, whose regards were fixed upon me, smiled.

That was my initiation.
The first day I was left to myself, to make studies.

The school-room was in the vestry of the church, a building near grand'ther's house.
Each girl had a desk before her.