human
Do you wish to be at the head of your class, dear?
gpt
I do indeed, answered Silver Ribbon,
human
You can easily secure it,
gpt
Without labor and trouble?
human
Yes, if you do what I tell you.
gpt
What shall I do?
human
What is your position in the class at present?
gpt
I am second, but I have reached it mainly by a cunning copying from the other slates, and I fear I can't keep that up long.
human
You suffer slightly from a weak spine, don't you?
gpt
I do,
human
Well, dear, take my advice, and when the class meets again go to your teacher in a very modest manner and make a graceful curtsey. Tell him that though you would not in the least mind being at the lower end of the class, yet because of your weak back he might favor you by allowing you the support of the shade tree opposite the 4th place. This will win him, for his mother has taught him to love modesty and to be kind. Having secured that place for the remainder of the session, watch what the three pupils above you jot down on their slates, and copy all their answers if they be different. When the teacher comes to examine the slates, beginning with number one, and mentions who is correct, you will know which answer to rub out, which you can easily do without being suspected. Do as I tell you, and you will be as often successful as any one of the three best pupils above you is correct. Be clever, be cunning, there is no harm in wrong-doing, and you will get honor and reward without any trouble, with plenty of time to go about idle and amuse yourself. Glide along through life as I do, dear, as smoothly and as pleasantly as you can, taking everything and giving nothing.