The Last Lesson Summary In English
Franz started for school very late that morning. He was
afraid of being scolded because M. Hamel was to question
them on participles, and he did not know the first word
about them. He thought of running away and spending the
day out of doors. The warm bright day, the chirping birds,
and the Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field back of
the sawmill were tempting. But he resisted the temptation
and hurried off to school.
There was a crowd in front of the bulletin-board near the
town-hall. Wachter, the blacksmith asked Franz not to go
so fast. He assured the boy that he would get to his school
in plenty of time. Usually there was a great bustle when
the school began but that day everything was as quiet as
Sunday morning.
Through the window Franz saw his classmates, already in
their places and M. Hamel walking up and down with his
terrible iron ruler under his arm. Franz opened the door
and went in. He blushed and was frightened. M. Hamel
very kindly asked him to go to his place.
Franz noticed that their teacher had put on his beautiful
green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all
embroidered. He wore these only on inspection and prize
days. The village people were sitting quietly on the
usually empty back benches. Everybody looked sad; and
Hauser had brought an old primer.
M. Hamel said that it was the last lesson he would give
them. Henceforth, only German was to be taught in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master would
come the next day. This was their last lesson of French.
He wanted them to be very attentive.
Franz started for school very late that morning. He was
afraid of being scolded because M. Hamel was to question
them on participles, and he did not know the first word
about them. He thought of running away and spending the
day out of doors. The warm bright day, the chirping birds,
and the Prussian soldiers drilling in the open field back of
the sawmill were tempting. But he resisted the temptation
and hurried off to school.
There was a crowd in front of the bulletin-board near the
town-hall. Wachter, the blacksmith asked Franz not to go
so fast. He assured the boy that he would get to his school
in plenty of time. Usually there was a great bustle when
the school began but that day everything was as quiet as
Sunday morning.
Through the window Franz saw his classmates, already in
their places and M. Hamel walking up and down with his
terrible iron ruler under his arm. Franz opened the door
and went in. He blushed and was frightened. M. Hamel
very kindly asked him to go to his place.
Franz noticed that their teacher had put on his beautiful
green coat, his frilled shirt, and the little black silk cap, all
embroidered. He wore these only on inspection and prize
days. The village people were sitting quietly on the
usually empty back benches. Everybody looked sad; and
Hauser had brought an old primer.
M. Hamel said that it was the last lesson he would give
them. Henceforth, only German was to be taught in the
schools of Alsace and Lorraine. The new master would
come the next day. This was their last lesson of French.
He wanted them to be very attentive.
