Principal Jim went down to the library, where he found a fuming Ms. Whipsnade looking daggers at a scared little girl in a hijab. Ms. Whipsnade presented him triumphantly with an ancient book entitled Great Men in History, written by Hiram C. Eggenberger, D. D. and published in Chicago in 1909, together with a full-colour illustration of the kind that used to be called a ‘plate.’ The latter had clearly been torn recently from the former.
“I caught her red-handed,” said the librarian with some satisfaction, quite clearly expecting retribution to follow. “An example needs to be made of this.”
“Do you deny that you did this?” Jim towered over the girl, who cowered before him.
“Yes. I mean no, I diden’t …not do it. I did it. I tear the pikchair out,” answered the crestfallen girl.
“This is library property. Damaging a school book is an act of vandalism. Do you know what that means?”
“Yes, I know,” muttered the girl, studiously avoiding eye contact.
“Look at me.” The girl complied warily.
“Would your parents approve of what you did? Shall I call them to find out?” This was usually a successful ploy.
“Oh, no, sir, pul-ease, sir, don’t call them. They will beat me.” Misery gave way to agitation. “I will buy another book. Don’t call them, please!” The dark eyes had tears in them. “They will beat me,” she repeated.
“It’s an old book,” said Ms. Whipsnade, “almost certainly out of print. You can’t replace it.”
“Then you will have to repair it,” said Jim amiably as the bell rang. “Come and see me about it after school. In my office. He picked up the colour plate, placing it on the laptop he was carrying. He sailed out into the crowd of jostling students making their way to first period. He made his own way to Bill Marsh’s home room just as the national anthem began. Bill was the history teacher responsible for the World Affairs Club.
“I need to see Mr. Marsh for a moment. Please excuse us,” he asked the class from the door. They all responded good-naturedly, “Oh, you’re in trouble, Mr. Marsh! ” Bill cringed as if expecting a blow, and the students laughed. Zach Riley, the class clown, sang out “Take as long as you like, Mr. Leland. We’ve got all period!” His classmates laughed again. Bill went over to Jim.
“ I’ve just had a call from the board about last night’s WAC meeting. What gives?”
“ I thought there might be some fallout. I told Chris about it in the parking lot.”
The World Affairs Club was an after-school public affairs student forum. It drew a lively crowd of academic students, and Bill Marsh was its popular co-ordinator. The club had sponsored a series of appearances by guest speakers on ‘How We Govern Ourselves.’
