Martin and the little lady took Tiny in the automobile to the schoolhouse, which was the most delightful school building Tiny could imagine. It stood on the center of a green lawn. All kinds of swings and games were arranged in the playgrounds. The little lady introduced Tiny to her teacher.
“I’m glad to have so brave a child under my care,” smiled Miss Spectacles, “for I’ve heard all about Tiny and the fire.”
Tiny blushed and stood on one foot. “It didn’t seem very brave to me,” she said, “but I’m glad you think you’ll like me.”
After the little lady had gone, the teacher showed Tiny to a desk and gave her lesson-books. Tiny studied the lessons well, and when recess-time came was quite ready for play.
The children stared at her a good deal, for no doubt they too had heard about the fire, and many had seen her on her pony; but she was so friendly in her manner that the girls soon overcame their shyness and began to talk with her.
There was one particularly pretty girl who was especially nice to Tiny, and gave her half her apple to eat. There was another little girl whose mother combed her hair in one braid at the back of her head. Just as she started to talk with Tiny, one of the boys came along, and pulled the little girl’s hair.
“Hello, Piggy,” he said. “Hello, Piggy. Piggy-wiggy, Piggy-wiggy.”
“Oh, dear,” said the little girl, “I do wish they wouldn’t call me names.”
“For shame!” Tiny called to the boy. “It is dreadfully rude for you to call names. I won’t like you one bit if you call names.”
“Ha, ha!” laughed the boy. “I don’t care! Piggy-wiggy wears a pig-tail.”
“Never mind, dear,” said Tiny. “I believe I can make him stop.”
After school Tiny went to the boy. “Listen,” she said, “what’ll you take to stop calling names?”
“Yes,” said Tiny, “will you promise to stop if I give you ten cents?”
“Nope,” said the boy. “It’s too much fun.”
“Well,” said Tiny, “that’s all I have. I spent all the rest of my money for ice cream and cake.”
“Say,” said the boy, “are you offering for honest?”
“Well, then, I’ll take a ride on your pony to stop. How about that?”
“I’ll always call her Piggy if you don’t,” said the boy.
“I’ll let you know to-morrow,” said Tiny, for that was the last thing she wanted to pay, and she was worried.