Filipok began to cry; then he stubbed his toe and fell. A peasant came out and called off the dogs, and asked:
"Where are you going all sole alone, you little rascal?"
Filipok made no answer, pulled up his skirt, and started to run with all his might. He ran to the school. There was no one on the steps, but in school the voices of the children could be heard in a confused murmur.
Filipp was now filled with fear:—
"Suppose the teacher should drive me away?"
And he began to consider what he should do. If he should go back, the dogs might bite him; but if he went into school, he was afraid of the teacher.
A peasant woman passed the school, with a pail, and she said:—
"All the rest are studying, and what are you standing there for?"
So Filipok went into school. In the entry he took off his cap and opened the door. The room was full of children. All were talking at once, and the teacher, in a red scarf, was walking up and down in the midst of them.
"Who are you?" he demanded of Filipok.
Filipok clutched his cap and said nothing.
"Who are you?"
Filipok said never a word.
"Are you dumb?"
Filipok was so scared that he could not speak.
"Well, then, go home if you can't speak."
Now Filipok would have been glad to say something, but his throat was all parched with terror.
He looked at the teacher and burst into tears.
Then the teacher felt sorry for him. He caressed his head, and inquired of the children who the little fellow was.
"This is Filipok, Kostiushka's[1] brother; he has been wanting for a long time to go to school, but his mother would not let him, and he must have run away to school."
"Well, sit down on the bench next your brother, and I will ask your mother to let you come to school."
- ↑ Diminutive of Konstantin.
