I felt that I could hardly blame her if she got the
idea that I was a worthless loafer or tramp. For some time she
did not refuse to admit me, neither did she decide in my favour,
and I continued to linger about her, and to impress her in all
the ways I could with my worthiness. In the meantime I saw her
admitting other students, and that added greatly to my
discomfort, for I felt, deep down in my heart, that I could do as
well as they, if I could only get a chance to show what was in
me.
After some hours had passed, the head teacher said to me: "The
adjoining recitation-room needs sweeping. Take the broom and
sweep it."
It occurred to me at once that here was my chance. Never did I
receive an order with more delight. I knew that I could sweep,
for Mrs. Ruffner had thoroughly taught me how to do that when I
lived with her.
I swept the recitation-room three times. Then I got a
dusting-cloth and dusted it four times. All the woodwork around
the walls, every bench, table, and desk, I went over four times
with my dusting-cloth. Besides, every piece of furniture had been
moved and every closet and corner in the room had been thoroughly
cleaned. I had the feeling that in a large measure my future
dependent upon the impression I made upon the teacher in the
cleaning of that room.
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