While the Billy Boils · Chapter
An Echo from the Old Bark School explained
The schoolmaster calls the roll on the first Monday after the holidays, and when he calls the name of Mary Wild, a solemn hush falls over the class.
What happens
The schoolmaster calls the roll on the first Monday after the holidays, and when he calls the name of Mary Wild, a solemn hush falls over the class. Janet Wild sobs heartbrokenly, and the master regretfully acknowledges his mistake. The galoot of the school breaks the silence by cheerfully answering 'Dead—sir!' and later asks what 'D' stands for, earning a sharp rebuke from Jim Bullock.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Mortality
The calling of Mary Wild's name and the master's announcement of her death bring a somber recognition of mortality into the schoolroom.
Humor and Irony
The galoot's cheerful 'Dead—sir!' and his oblivious question about 'D' provide darkly comic relief against the tragic moment.
Characters to notice
- Arvie Aspinall
Called in the roll and responds 'Es, sir.'
- Joe Swallow
Called in the roll and responds 'Yesser.'
- Jimmy Nowlett
Called in the roll; chorus answers 'Absent.'
- Janet Wild
Sobs heartbrokenly when her sister Mary's name is called.
- Mary
Deceased schoolmate whose name is called, causing a solemn hush.
Key passages
“Children, this is the first time I ever had to put D to the name of one of my scholars. Poor Mary! she was one of my first pupils—came the first morning the school was opened.”
The master tells the class that he has never before had to mark a student as deceased, and notes that Mary was among his earliest students.
Highlights the master's personal grief and the significance of the event.
“Please, sir, what does D stand for?”
The galoot asks the master what the letter D means.
Illustrates the galoot's obliviousness and the dark humor of the scene.