`` So you really think you wo n't ? '' he queried smilingly . `` Well , on second thoughts , you may take your choice . Either you will do as I have bidden you , or you will sit for three days with '' -- Mr. Perkins ' eye skimmed over the school-room to find a boy who was sitting alone -- `` with Cyrus Brisk . '' This choice of Mr. Perkins , who knew nothing of the little drama of emotions that went on under the routine of lessons and exercises in his domain , was purely accidental , but we took it at the time as a stroke of diabolical genius . It left Cecily no choice . She would have done almost anything before she would have sat with Cyrus Brisk . With flashing eyes she tore open the letter , snatched up the chalk , and dashed at the blackboard . In a few minutes the contents of that letter graced the expanse usually sacred to more prosaic compositions . I can not reproduce it verbatim , for I had no after opportunity of refreshing my memory . But I remember that it was exceedingly sentimental and exceedingly ill-spelled -- for Cecily mercilessly copied down poor Cyrus ' mistakes . He wrote her that he wore her hare over his hart -- `` and he stole it , '' Cecily threw passionately over her shoulder at Mr. Perkins -- that her eyes were so sweet and lovely that he could n't find words nice enuf to describ them , that he could never forget how butiful she had looked in prar meeting the evening before , and that some meels he could n't eat for thinking of her , with more to the same effect and he signed it `` yours till deth us do part , Cyrus Brisk . '' As the writing proceeded we scholars exploded into smothered laughter , despite our awe of Mr. Perkins . Mr. Perkins himself could not keep a straight face . He turned abruptly away and looked out of the window , but we could see his shoulders shaking . When Cecily had finished and had thrown down the chalk with bitter vehemence , he turned around with a very red face . `` That will do . You may sit down . Cyrus , since it seems you are the guilty person , take the eraser and wipe that off the board . Then go stand in the corner , facing the room , and hold your arms straight above your head until I tell you to take them down . ''
Cyrus obeyed and XXXXX fled to her seat and wept , nor did Mr. Perkins meddle with her more that day .
Cecily Cyrus Perkins days deth enuf meels minutes school-room second