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Show Chapter Ten Why are some people so nice and others so nasty? My friends at school have been so kind. Even when I have to go to the outhouse, no one makes me feel strange, but all Mr. May has to do is look at me and I feel as though my hair had grown in green instead of red. Why does he dislike me so? Early one September morning Papa loaded Nettie into the wagon with Clarence and Alice and drove them all to school. Mr. May, Nettie's teacher, met Papa at the schoolroom door. "This is my daughter, Mr. May," Papa introduced her. "Nettie Peterson. She's missed a year of school and I'd be obliged if you'd look after her a bit. She's a good girl, a good worker, and obedient." Mr. May smiled limply and nodded. His eyes were cool and seemed to look through Nettie rather than at her. She leaned heavily on the walking stick Papa had made her and hobbled her way to a desk, sitting down clumsily. She waved as Papa left. "Now that we are all settled at last," Mr. May stated, looking pointedly at Nettie, "we will begin. Let's see what you have done with reading." Nettie caught the small barb, but her joy in being back among a |