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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