But it is very impolite to open other people 's letters . I think I have a better plan . Since you refuse to tell me who wrote it , open it yourself , take this chalk , and copy the contents on the blackboard that we may all enjoy them . And sign the writer 's name at the bottom . '' `` Oh , '' gasped Cecily , choosing the lesser of two evils , `` I 'll tell you who wrote it -- it was -- `` Hush ! '' Mr. Perkins checked her with a gentle motion of his hand . He was always most gentle when most inexorable . `` You did not obey me when I first ordered you to tell me the writer . You can not have the privilege of doing so now . Open the note , take the chalk , and do as I command you . '' Worms will turn , and even meek , mild , obedient little souls like Cecily may be goaded to the point of wild , sheer rebellion . `` I -- I wo n't ! '' she cried passionately . Mr. Perkins , martinet though he was , would hardly , I think , have inflicted such a punishment on Cecily , who was a favourite of his , had he known the real nature of that luckless missive . But , as he afterwards admitted , he thought it was merely a note from some other girl , of such trifling sort as school-girls are wont to write ; and moreover , he had already committed himself to the decree , which , like those of Mede and Persian , must not alter . To let Cecily off , after her mad defiance , would be to establish a revolutionary precedent . `` 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 XXXXX 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 .
Since To after as at from like of on that