THE QUESTION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XI, Issue 46, 18 November 1893, Page 431

THE QUESTION.

So tall, so stout, so firm of mien, Such eyes for looking in between, The great inspector stood ; He scanned the children, then their tasks, He looked about as one who asks, What better for their good ? The teacher stood in anxious plight, Smiling when some poor child was bright, Trembling when such was mute. One thin and weird young lad was there ; His work was bad, and he did not care, Though under that gaze acute. * Boy, ’tis idle and careless withal ! When I was your age, and not so tall, I could do the rule of three !’ The boy said, after a little space, And quietly raising his grave young face ; ‘ Please, sir, was you fed like me!’ Minnie Douglas.